Taj spreads wings abroad: Signs two properties in Bahrain; to have 27 hotels in 13 countries

NEW DELHI: Tata Group’s Taj Hotels is fast expanding its footprint abroad. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed a luxury hotel and boutique resort in Bahrain, both under the Taj brand. Founded in 1903 and now India’s largest hospitality company, Taj has a portfolio of 326 hotels including 102 under development globally in 130 locations across four continents.It is the first Indian hospitality company to enter the Bahrain market and now has seven hotels including four under development in the Middle East.
IHCL’s international portfolio now has 27 hotels in 13 countries with 10 in the pipeline. It has two hotels each in the US and UK; one upcoming in Frankfurt; three operational in the UAE; two each in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Bangladesh; one each in Zambia and South Africa; three in Sri Lanka; two in Maldives; three in Nepal and three in the pipeline in Bhutan.
The Taj resort in Bahrain’s Hamala will have 251 rooms and the Taj hotel in Downtown Seef, Manama, will have 200 keys. IHCL MD & CEO Puneet Chhatwal said: “We are pleased to announce two hotels in the island nation of Bahrain in line with our strategy of growing Taj’s presence in key gateway cities of the world. With a portfolio of seven hotels including four under development in the Middle East, these hotels will extend our presence in the MENA region. We are delighted to partner with Kingdom Projects to introduce the iconic Taj with its hospitality, elevating Bahrain’s tourism landscape.”
Jalal Al Wazzan, MD of Kingdom Projects WLL, said: “We are delighted to welcome the prestigious and world-renowned Taj brand, a first for Bahrain, which will work towards attracting tourists in greater numbers from across the region and around the globe, thereby enhancing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP. In line with the economic vision 2030 driven by the Crowne Prince, partnering with leading leisure and hospitality brands exemplifies Kingdom Projects’ vested commitment to contribute to the development and growth of the tourism sector and thereby, the diversification of the national economy.” Kingdom Projects is one of the biggest real estate developers in Bahrain.
IHCL operates hotels under four brands — Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger. Taj was incorporated by Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata when the company opened its first hotel - The Taj Mahal Palace in Bombay, in 1903.