Tata Coffee launches holiday homes in K'taka

Tata Coffee today announced its foray into the hospitality sector with the launch of Plantation Trails - a cluster of holiday homes in coffee-growing Kodagu district of Karnataka.

"Plantation Trails are located in coffee estates of the company, which were occupied by the planters of Tata Coffee earlier, and offer an opportunity to experience a plantation lifestyle," M H Ashraff, managing director of Tata Coffee, said today.

He said it was now confined to eight estates, and might be extended to other estates that have bungalows. A small division had also been set up for managing the Plantation Trails.

Ashraff said most companies depending on plantations were now looking at "other ways of augmenting income," and their new initiative was in this direction.

"By year-end, 12 bungalows with 38 rooms would be covered under the expanded portfolio of tourism," he said.

Priced at Rs 2,500-3,500 per room for two people with taxes extra, Plantation Trails would look at attracting all segments, including IT professionals looking for a weekend break and foreigners, Ashraff said.

Tata Coffee has estates in Kodagu, Hassan and Chikamagalur districts in Karnataka.