Taj Hotels recently opened Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Dubai (Photo: Taj Hotels)
India’s largest hospitality group Taj Hotels has set its eyes on the Middle East as one of its primary focus areas for growth in the next decade. The company says it plans to launch 15 hotels in the next 10 years, including 5 properties in Dubai alone.
Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and chief executive officer of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, the holding company of Taj, informed that all of the upcoming 15 properties would carry the brand name of ‘Taj’ in a bid to cement its position as ‘South Asia’s most iconic and the most profitable hospitality company.’
Taj has recently opened Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, a luxury beachfront resort located in the heart of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. It is the third Taj-branded hotel in the UAE and offers 325 rooms and suites, a range of culinary experiences and Jiva spa, besides a private beach and what the brand says is the longest pool in Palm Jumeirah.
The contemporary interiors have been designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates and features traditional craftsmanship influenced by the surroundings. It also offers a variety of cuisines and guests can choose between Indian fine dining at Varq, a gastropub experience at the Roaring Rabbit, an Arabesque atmosphere at Raia, the rooftop bar and lounge or a range of international flavours at Palm Kitchen as well as delicacies at The Coast, a beachside bistro.
It is the first hotel in the Middle East to carry the branding of Taj’s flagship collection ‘Exotica’ and the hospitality group’s fourth property after Maldives, Andamans and Goa.
Recent industry reports from global consultancy CBRE recorded 16.8 pc increase in occupancy rates of hotels in Dubai during the first 10 months of 2021, and the hospitality group is hoping to ride on the demand after the conclusion of Expo 2020 Dubai.
“Dubai is among the top five travel leisure business-pleasure destinations of the world. Occupancies have remained high because of all of the privileges that Dubai has to offer. It has stood out in terms of demonstrating resilience, which is the most assuring factor for any brand, any business in the world to be present in Dubai,” says Chhatwal of IHCL.
Taj’s next hotel will be at the Deira Waterfront in Dubai, followed by a new property under development in the holy city of Makkah. The group is also eyeing several other locations in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
