KOCHI:The Dubai-based Magic Lands Real Estate Group is all set to tap the enormous tourism potential of waterfalls and hills in the Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Malakkappara and the sprawling wildlife around the region, a treasure trove of rich bio-diversity, by investing around ` 25 crore in the hospitality sector. This is the first time a hospitality major is investing in Athirappilly region, which is an abode of diverse flora and fauna besides wildlife, including wild elephants, spotted deer, bison and leopard.
Speaking to ‘Express,’ Dinesh Babu, managing partner of the group said, “We are constructing two rows of brightly-hued cottages at Vettilappara near Athirappilly. The cottages will serve as holiday homes for tourists who flock the famed hill station and these cottages are built in a way to facilitate a panoramic view of the mountainous stretch and explore nature’s bounty in the region. The cottages are being constructed here at a cost of nearly ` five crore. This includes 30 cottages, restaurant, landscaping, pathways, parking lot and other facilities.
“The cottages which were already to sold to NRIs, would be rented out to tourists as per the lease agreement reached between the realtors and NRI customers. Besides, the Group will offer tourism packages connecting Athirappily and Munnar in Idukki, similar to the line of one run by the DTPC which offers Jungle Safari in Athirappilly-Malakkappara region.
“We have also reached an agreement with hospitality majors in Munnar for providing accommodation and quality service to tourists,” says Joy Ilan, executive director of the project.
The cottages are being constructed on a 2.5-acre plot facing two hills near Vettilappra and more land has been acquired by the group in Athirappilly and Malakkappara region to provide hospitality services to tourists who flock the famed hill station. A resort at Malakkappara and a Five Star hotel near Athirappilly are also in the pipeline. He also said efforts are being made to commission the cottages and restaurant by the end of this year.
“We have also plans to construct a studio apartment near the cottages to meet the requirements of tourists, but it would be constructed in the second phase of the project,” he added.