Taj ties up with Korean group

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has entered into a strategic alliance with South Korea's The Shilla Hotels & Resorts to develop cross-promotional opportunities for both companies to harness their strengths in respective markets. Shilla is affiliated to the Samsung group.

"The tie-up will give us the opportunity to work with Shilla to create greater awareness of the Taj brand in Korea and vice-versa. The tie-up is also strategic as Korea is a major market for the Tata group in the areas like IT, auto and steel," said Raymond Bickson, MD and CEO, The Indian Hotels Company.

The tie-up will emphasise on joint human resources, exchange of loyalty programmes and joint investments in establishing new hospitality centres.

Mansoo Lee, president & CEO, Hotel Shilla Company, said: "The alliance comes at the most opportune time when India's tourist industry is booming due to the rush of foreign tourists into the country and increased travel by Indians to domestic and overseas destinations."

Indian outbound tourists are expected to treble to 20 million by 2015. Taj and Shilla would promote cuisines of their respective countries through food festivals and starting of Indian and Korean restaurants in each others' hotels.

The Shilla is a leading hotel group in South Korea and manages The Shilla Seoul and The Shilla Jeju.