Taj Group of hotels, resorts and palaces, the flagship brand of Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), announced its foray in Surat recently by entering into management contract with Gujarat JHM Hotels. Taj will operate under the brand name ‘Gateway Hotel’.

Rohinton Commissariat, director of sales and marketing, IHCL, said, “Entering Surat is a part of out domestic expansion and local dominance strategy.”

Currently, the hotel is located on the banks of river Tapi and is build on five acres of land. It offers 132 guest rooms comprising four deluxe suites and one presidential suite. Before Taj, Gujarat JHM Hotels had management contract with Hotel Holiday Inn.

Talking to Business Standard, Rohinton, said, “Under our ongoing expansion plans we have adopted local dominance strategy to strengthen our presence in India."

He said, “We want to dominant the entity. We have to address the entrance of the international brands into India as well.”

“The smaller and second line cities are growing faster as compared to the traditional cities and we are trying to pick up the growth momentum of this cities. Surat is growing at a fast pace due to the growing number of corporate giants setting up base at Hazira, the upcoming IT SEZ and airport,” he said.

With the new airport in Surat, the company believes that the quality of traveller will also improve in Surat. He said “There is an inter-link between global expansion and local dominance as we want to tap the customers on both front, international as well as national level.”

The Taj Group aims at capitalising its existence in the international arena by taping the overseas travellers and vice-verse. “Our aim is not only to retain our business but also to grow at a fast rate then the market," he said.

According to the hotel business experts, hospitality market growth rate is 25 percent in India. Apart from the 56 hotels in India, Taj Group now has 15 international hotels spread in Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, UK, US, Dubai, Bhutan and Malaysia (Langkawi), the last four being added in past six months.

( www.business-standard.com)