KOCHI: Infopark, the IT destination in Kochi, is all set to get a new advantage. The next Taj Hotel in the state, the third in the city, will come up near Infopark and SmartCity in Kakkanad. Tata Group-owned Indian Hotels Company Limited, which owns the Taj brand of hotels, has entered into a management contract with Muthoot Hotels and Infrastructure ventures for this Gateway brand hotel. The hotel will open in the first quarter of 2018. At present, Taj brand hotels have 100 hotels in 62 locations.
“Work is in full pace for developing a four-star business hotel near Infopark and the proposed SmartCity at Kakkanad in Kochi with 130 rooms. The Taj Group will manage this property under the Gateway brand,” said a source familiar with the development.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has strategically identified the fast emerging business centres across the country for its domestic expansion.
The company extends its presence into the rapidly developing township of Kochi, with the proposed development of a Gateway Hotel. The company has entered into a management contract with Muthoot Hotels and Infrastructure Ventures for this property.
“This initiative into the burgeoning markets is a key aspect of the domestic expansion strategy. Kochi has been in the forefront of rapid growth of corporate traffic, industry and the retail revolution coupled with a booming entertainment business. Strategic location and the timing of the project are the key factors in establishing our presence in this important market,” said a Taj Group official.
Though the announcement in this regard came in October 2008, owing to various reasons the development was delayed. Currently, Taj Group has eight hotels in Kerala: Taj Gateway and Vivanta in Ernakulam, Kozhikode Taj Gateway, Taj Vivanta at Bekal, Thiruvananthapuram Taj Vivanta, Varkala-Taj Gateway Kovalam-Taj Vivanta and Taj Vivanta at Kumarakom.
The hotel will be located off the highway leading to the Kochi International Airport opposite the 246-acre Smart City and in close vicinity of the 100-acre Info Park that houses leading IT majors like TCS and Wipro.
The location is also close to major developments such as Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), leading township developments like DLF City, Sahara City and Dubai Net City. Taj Group has also plans to open hotels in Wayanad and Kottayam districts as well.