Corporate stays, boon for Taj Fisherman's Cove

Taj Fisherman's Cove, located along the Chennai coastline, has just sunk its teeth into a sweet spot with the corporate segment.

From a zero contribution to revenues 12-14 months back, the segment's contribution was 15 per cent of the Rs 22.5 crore revenues that the resort clocked in 2004-05, thanks to the overall development in the IT corridor and the robust business activity that Chennai has been witnessing in the recent past.

Though Fisherman's Cove has been and still remains essentially a leisure resort, it has been modifying its service delivery, menu and adding on to its current facilities.

"We have recognised the fact that business efficiency is part of leisure activity. We have put in a business centre, corporate board room and all parts of the resort have wi-fi internet connectivity," said N Prakash, director (sales-southern region).

This emphasis is important because if conferencing revenues are added to corporate stays and food and beverage revenues, it adds up to 25 per cent of the resort's overall revenues.

Corporate stays, that have pushed up occupancy during the weekdays, is proving to be a boon for Fisherman's Cove as it used to run choc-a-bloc during the weekends. In order to accommodate corporate needs, Fisherman's Cove is working on three areas.

One, it is investing in staff training so that they become more attuned to the needs of the business traveller. Two, they are sprucing up the food and beverages section, so that they are ready for anything from a BPO executive who drops in well past midnight for a meal or a group from Australia that appreciates cuisine from their own country.

And lastly, it has added on services and facilities like secretary-on-call, convention centre, and a host of other benefits that targeted at enhancing a business traveller's stay.

Besides the corporates who have set up offices in and around Chennai, Fisherman's Cove has had business coming from other areas.

"In the last two months, we have had individuals who have come to conference from the southeast Asian market. They have already been to Phuket and Sri Lanka and want to try someplace that is different," said Aamir Faisal, sales manager, Fisherman's Cove.

In addition, IT and ITeS companies have begun to use Fisherman's Cove's property to reward their employees with a day out.

The other new developments at the resort include the Upper Deck "" a Mediterranean food and wine restaurant, and the recently opened ayurvedic spa.