As part of its domestic expansion strategy, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has announced its plans to develop a new Taj Business Hotel in Coimbatore, the second biggest city of Tamil Nadu.

Taj Hotels has entered into a long-term license agreement with the owners of Hotel Surya International, Coimbatore. Situated on a 2.17 acre plot on Race Course Road, an upscale location in Coimbatore, the existing structure of Hotel Surya International will be pulled down to make way for a new Taj Business Hotel.

This 200-room hotel will be unveiled by October 2007, providing guests with all modern facilities and services. Located about 12 kms from the airport and 3 kms from the centre of Coimbatore, the hotel will also offer three food & beverage outlets, 15,000 sq ft of banqueting and meeting facilities (indoor & outdoor) and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said, 'Coimbatore has been identified as one of the fast developing metros of India and is on the threshold of becoming the second largest IT centre after Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Given the rapid IT development and the growth in the textile and automobile industry, which will drive the business demand in the years to come, we feel that Coimbatore offers immense potential for the development of a business hotel. Furthermore, this expansion in second tier cities like Coimbatore is in line with our domestic expansion strategy.'

(www.hotelnewsresource.com)