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R. Ravikumar

Chennai, Sept. 8 Chennai-based Asiana Hotels Pvt Ltd has chalked out expansion plans involving an investment of Rs 440 crore.

The company, promoted by a group of NRIs from the US, the UK and Australia, led by Mr Shri Sriharan, is planning properties in Sriperumbudur (on the outskirts of Chennai), Pillayarpatti (Karaikudi), Madurai and Rameswaram (all in Tamil Nadu). It is close to signing a pact with Australia-based investment fund Banian FM for an A$120-million investment, according to Mr Sriharan, who is the Managing Director and CEO of the company.

Asiana has acquired three acres in Sriperumbudur, where it plans a 180-room 4-star hotel on two acres, and over 70 serviced apartments in the remaining part of the land. “In Madurai, we are planning a business class hotel with at least 150 rooms,” he said. Talks are in an advanced stage to seal a land deal there.

Taking advantage of the sops announced by the Tamil Nadu Government for hotel projects in not-so-familiar areas and also for heritage hotels, Asiana has acquired four acres at Pillayarpatti to develop a 100-room (Chettinad style) heritage property.

At Rameswaram, where the company has over 50 acres, a 350-room business-class resort is being planned, says Mr Sriharan. “All these properties will be up and running in the next three to four years.”

Besides, Asiana plans to establish a hotel management school for students from the under-privileged sections of society. “We have demarcated an area at the basement of the company’s property on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), near Chennai. This will train staff for our properties,” he said.

Asiana launched its first 114-room deluxe property on OMR last year, which according to Mr S. Alagurajan, Director, secured Five Star Deluxe status recently.

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