Taj enters Seychelles hospitality market

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has made a strategic move into Seychelles, a key upscale holiday destination in the Indian Ocean, by entering into a management contract for Denis Island.

This is part of the Tata group's hospitality chain to spread its presence in the international market. Denis Island, a 375-acre coral island, has been renamed as Taj Denis Island, Seychelles.

Commenting on the new addition, Raymond Bickson, managing director of Indian Hotels Company said, " We have been looking at increasing our geographical footprint and one of the key areas of focus was to expand with luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean. After the celebrated launch and success of the Taj Exotica Resorts & Spa, Maldives and soon to be launched Taj Exotica Resorts & Spa, Mauritius, its is our pleasure to now be present in a key destination such as the Seychelles."

The group has been looking at consolidating its presence through acquisitions and management contracts. However, so far the company has been unsuccessful in making an overseas acquisition.

Kathy Mason, promoter of Denis Island Development Company, said," We are pleased to be associated with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and are confident that this strategic alliance can only serve to enhance and consolidate Denis Island as a leading island resort."

The Taj group is one of south Asia's largest group of hotels comprising 57 hotels in 38 locations across India with an additional 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. The luxury division is the largest contributor to IHCL's revenues.