WelcomHeritage, the heritage hotels division of cigarettes to hotels conglomerate ITC group has signed two new heritage properties in Goa and Rajasthan. Part of ITC?s hospitality division, WelcomHeritage is the largest chain of heritage properties in India. In line with its strategy of increasing presence in southern India, the group is also in negotiations with several heritage homes in Kerala and Karnataka.
Rakesh Mathur, president, WelcomHeritage told FE that the two new additions to its portfolio will take the total number of properties under its umbrella to 63. ?Currently, we are operating the same number of properties. However, we are in the process of de-linking two projects in Mandava (an 18th century Singhasan Haveli) and Pushkar (Gulaab Niwaas Palace),? he said. However, Mathur refused to elaborate on the reasons behind the parting of ways.
The chain, which has properties in 19 states, has the maximum presence in Rajasthan with 19 properties followed by Uttarakhand (8 properties), Himachal Pradesh (6 properties) and Madhya Pradesh (5 properties). ?We are aiming to have 70 properties by next year,? he said. As far as its recent acquisitions are concerned, WelcomHeritage has signed up Hotel Panjim Inn in Goa, which comprises of three buildings. Built in 1930, the property has a total inventory of 36 homes and WelcomHeritage has a licensing deal with the owners.
In Rajasthan, it has signed a hotel in Mukundgarh Fort Shekhawati, which is owned by Mumbai-based DB Hospitality. The 40-room hotels complex will also be managed by the group, which is planning to promote it as a spa destination. DB Hospitality is one of the leading players in the hotel industry and owns the Le Meridien in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
As far as the recovery in the tourist traffic is concerned, Mathur said that though there has been an uptick, the flow is largely from the domestic market.