Leading Hoteliers throng Ayodhya anticipating massive tourist influx
Leading Hoteliers throng Ayodhya anticipating massive tourist influx
As the country is all set for a grand opening of the much-anticipated Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January, leading Hoteliers are not resting on their laurels either.
Anticipating a massive influx of tourists and pilgrims for years to come, India’s leading hotel chain operators are making a beeline to the holy town to line up new properties.
From ITC to Taj, leading hotel chains are coming up with properties across the holy town
The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is already coming up with two properties in Ayodhya
while ITC Ltd, also a leading player in the luxury and mid-segment hotels business, is also considering its options in the area
Sarovar Hotels & Resorts plans to come up with a 80-room properties under the brand Park Inn by Radisson Hotels
As per Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development at IHCL, considering the fact that Ayodhya, as the revered birthplace of Lord Ram, attracts a significant pilgrimage footfall year-round, the company has taken the leap early.
“IHCL has underscored its commitment by signing management contracts for two new properties in Ayodhya – a 100-room Vivanta hotel and a 120-room Ginger hotel, both expected to be operational in 36 months. Located strategically near the upcoming Ayodhya International Airport, this five-acre complex will cater to both business and leisure travellers.
Whereas Kolkata-based diversified conglomerate ITC Ltd., too, a leading player in the luxury and mid-segment hotels business, is even considering its options in the area. According to Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, it is in discussions with developers in this market to offer branding and management solutions for their assets under development.
Anil further added that Ayodhya is a great destination for cultural and spiritual tourism.
It is encouraging to see rapid growth in overall infrastructure as a catalyst for the expected tourism surge.
Any market with such large scale expected movement of travellers, would need quality accommodation across segments (luxury to economy).
They have significant experience, pan India in the spiritual tourism space. Welcomhotel Bhubaneswar, Welcomhotel Amritsar, Fortune Park Haridwar, Fortune Madurai and Fortune Select Tirupati are some of their properties serving this segment of travellers.
As per estimates by JLL India, besides these two – at least 2-3 other major hotel chain operators are in advanced stage of announcing their properties in Ayodhya.
Jaideep Dang, Head of Hotels & Hospitality, India, JLL reveals to the media that together these four-five operators of 4 & 5 star hotel properties are going to add 1,100 rooms in the city.
In addition, real estate players are also purchasing land parcels in the area, which has resulted in a three-fold rise in land prices in Ayodhya.
Among others – Marriott International and Sarovar Hotels & Resorts have already signed deals. Sarovar Hotels & Resorts is planning to come up with a 80-room properties under the brand Park Inn by Radisson Hotels.
According to Venkatesh of IHCL, the buoyancy in India’s travel and tourism sector, marked by robust growth in occupancies and average room rates, is particularly beneficial for hotels in locations with religious or spiritual significance.
IHCL acknowledges the importance of spiritual tourism, with existing hotels in significant destinations such as Varanasi, Amritsar, Nashik, Ajmer, Katra, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Tirupati. Recent expansions include a hotel in Vrindavan, integral to the Krishna pilgrimage circuit, and one in Makkah, near the Great Mosque.
News Edit K.V.Raman
