The Hindu Business Line : Taj Hotels to open 2 safari lodges in M.P.

Madhya Pradesh, with its wealth of wildlife parks, might hope to woo a greater part of these Indian wildlife enthusiasts and from across the globe when the Taj group opens two lodges in the State that would offer a complete circuit in the coming months.

Joint venture

The Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces — in a joint venture with CC Africa, a leading safari operator and ecotourism company from Africa — aims to provide guests with an interpretive wildlife experience in India based on a proven sustainable ecotourism model.

With the twin advantage of the growing luxury safari travel market and the absence of a brand in that space in India, the Taj group hopes that both partners would be able to share their combined resources in creating the country’s first branded wildlife circuit.

“The joint venture has a strategic fit with the group’s vision of expanding in the domestic market with innovative new product offerings,” said Mr Ajoy K. Misra, Senior Vice-President - Sales and Marketing, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, while declining to divulge the investment details.

Safari Experience

Taj Safaris would be opening two lodges — Pashan Garh (Panna National Park) on November 1 this year and Banjaar Tola (Kanha National Park) on December 1 — in Madhya Pradesh.

With the opening of these two lodges, the group — which opened Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh National Park in October 2006 and Baghvan in Pench National Park in February 2007 — feels that the circuit in Madhya Pradesh will be complete.

The safari experience will comprise game viewing, interpretive jungle walks and meditative solitude. Pashan Garh, spread across 200 acres, is a cluster of 12 luxurious dry-packed stone cottages, each 108 sq metres in size.

The 96-acre Banjaar Tola comprises of two riverine camps, each with nine luxurious tented suites, approximately 204 sq metre in size, with a floating veranda above the river.

While Pashan Garh is completely owned by Taj Safaris, Banjaar Tola is part-owned by Taj Safaris and a Raipur-based business house.

Management

The sales, marketing and product development functions of these properties would be managed by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and CC Africa jointly, while Taj Safaris would manage lodge operations and HR.

“Being part of a joint venture, each partner has brought forth their core competences and expertise for successfully operating these lodges,” said Mr Misra.

More Stories on : Alliances & Joint Ventures | Hotels | Wildlife | Karnataka

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