Friday, April 18, 2008
Radisson to open property in Alibaug this May
Publication: The Financial Express, Edition: Ahmedabad/Mumbai, Journalist: Bureau, Page No: 10, Location: Top-Left, Width(cms): 8, Height(cms): 17
Radisson to open property in Alibaug this May
Corporate Bureau
Mumbai, Apr 17
and managing director, Sahil Group of Companies said.
The real estate group has set aside more than Rs 600 crore for its hospitality venture. It will be involved in one of the new hotels of Radisson in Pune and is also looking at setting up a hotel in Navi Mumbai, indicated Phad-nis.
"We will be looking at tie-ups with other hotel chains as well. The Navi Mumbai property with 250 rooms will not be a part of the Carlson brand," said Phad-nis.
Radisson Hotels & Resorts al­so plans to run its owned speed boats between Gateway of India and Alibaug from September. The speed boats with seat capac­ity of 18 and 34 seats are being considered. The cost of such lux­ury speed boats run between a few lakh of rupees to a few crore.
Other than the Alibaug prop­erty, two Radisson hotels are planned in Pune, Goa and Nag-pur. Carlson group has 28 prop­erties in India and has 42 new properties under construction.
"All these properties will be ready in three years' time," said Nikhil Dhodapkar, director of sales and marketing, South Asia, Carlson Hotels Worldwide -Asia Pacific.
"Of these 42 properties, 24 will be Radisson," said Dhodap­kar. These properties will come up at state capitals and industri-al townships.
Radisson Resort & Spa, scheduled to open this May in Alibaug, will have a first hand advantage. It will be the first five star hotel to be opened in the town.
Just two and half hours away from Mumbai, Alibaug has been attracting a number of leisure travellers, who generally come to spend a day. "This property will make them extend their stay," said KB Kachru, executive director, RHW Hotel Manage­ment Services Ltd. He added that this property will not only attract travel involving meet­ings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) but also leisure travellers.
"Corporates are spending a lot on MICE and that is a good opportunity for us," he said adding, "Radisson Resorts & Spa Alibaug will be promoted as MICE during the weekdays and for leisure on weekends."
The hotel, with 144 rooms, is developed by Pune-based real estate company, Sahil Group for an investment of Rs 150 crore. "The investment will be a mix of debt and promoters' contribu­tion," Vinay Phadnis, chairman