The Indian Hotels Company Ltd unveils China foray

Taj International Hong Kong Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of IHCL), today signed a management contract with Cuiting Hotspring Hotel Management Company Ltd. (a subsidiary of Zhong Qi International Investment Company Ltd.) by virtue of which Taj will operate the latter’s Temple of Heaven Park property in Beijing and the Hainan Hotel project. The agreement was signed by Mr. Liu Longjiang, President, Beijing Zhong Qi International Investment Co. Ltd, and Mr. R. K. Krishna Kumar, Vice Chairman, The Indian Hotels Company Limited,  which owns and operates 78 Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces across the world. The foray into China is part of the company’s highly selective global expansion plan.

In close proximity to the landmark heritage site of The Temple of Heaven, a deluxe luxury hotel with 46 rooms is to be developed in the traditional Chinese style. Another 60 rooms will be added shortly thereafter. A key tourist destination, The Temple of Heaven Park, also known as Tiantan Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed between 1406 and 1420 and used by Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The following major structures dominate the Temple of Heaven Park – Altar of Heaven, the Echo Wall, Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer, with architecture inspired by numerology and elaborate symbolism. 

The Zhong Qi Group is also planning to develop a 500-key resort with 40 villas over 60 acres of land in Hainan Island, the premium resort destination in China. The resort will be located 30 kms from Sanya City in the upcoming Xiangshui Bay.

The Hainan province (considered the “Hawaii of the East”) was created in 1998 as a SEZ to initiate development of its natural resources. It is the most premium resort destination of China and has hosted the prestigious Miss World Pageant 2007. Sanya and Haikou, two major cities in the Hainan province, have attracted major tourist traffic from key source markets such as Russia, Korea, Japan etc among others. Sanya is the focus of hotel developments in Hainan and currently has 160 star hotels (out of which 7 are five star and 18 are four star hotels).  

The two hotels will be managed by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

Mr. Liu Longjiang, President, Beijing Zhong Qi International Investment Co. Ltd, said, “The co-operation agreement for the projects in Beijing Temple of Heaven and Hainan Xiangshuiwan,  is a symbolic start  with this first step into the Chinese market. We are sure this will bring the world level service standard as well as Indian culture to China. We are confident of future cooperation between the two parties, based on this awareness.”    

Mr. Krishna Kumar, Vice Chairman, Indian Hotels Company Limited, said, "China is one of the major tourism hubs worldwide witnessing more than 8% growth year on year (135 million tourists in 2007). With leisure travel contributing to more than half the tourist arrivals, it is critical for Taj to have a presence in this country. Our tie-up with the prestigious Zhong Qi Group for the Temple of Heaven Park, Beijing and the Hainan project is unique and will be a spectacular symbol of India’s association with China.”  

The Zhong Qi Group is partnering with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces to leverage on its internationally recognized expertise in hotel and resort operations and planning. The Taj Luxury Hotels are differentiated by their product philosophy and service design. They are centered around high-end accommodation, intimacy and an environment that allows their guests unrivalled comfort and privacy.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is committed to replicate its domestic success onto international shores with plans to build an international network of luxury hotels, which will provide an exemplary product-service combination and in the process create a global brand.  The current international portfolio includes luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean, business and resort destinations in the Middle East and Africa, serviced apartments in the UK, a hotel in Australia and three top-end luxury hotels in the US. 

Sourced From: Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd