Zuri Group Global, a multinational conglomerate promoted by a consortium of investors from West Asia, said it is planning to expand its hospitality business through room addition in existing properties and adding more properties in India and abroad, with the hospitality business picking up rapidly post the downturn.
Zuri, which has four properties in India across Goa, Bangalore and Kumarakom, one property in Kenya and one in the UK, will be adding 100 keys in Zuri Whitesands, its premium luxury hotel in Goa and another 100 keys in its property in Kenya, with an investment of Rs 50 crore per location. Both properties currently have 154 rooms each.
The company is also in the process of building a second hotel in Devanahalli, Bangalore, with an investment of Rs 150 crore to Rs 250 crore. ?We are evaluating options and we still don?t know what category of hotel we will be building on our Bangalore land,? said Aditya Kamani, managing director of Zuri Group Global.
The company is also looking at adding one five star luxury business hotel in Kenya, which will commence construction in a week?s time. The property is expected to be ready in 18 months.
While the hospitality industry suffered blows to its occupancy and room rates during the recession, Kamani says that over the past year, Zuri has seen room rates pick up, with an average 55% occupancy rate in its business hotels. Occupancy rates were expected to go up a further 15-20% on average, with the approaching holiday and wedding season.
?We are expecting traffic not just from international travellers, but from Indian travellers too, as domestic travel is picking up well,?said Kamani.