The Hindu : Business : Indian Hotels ties up with Raffles International

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

Business

Business

Indian Hotels ties up with Raffles International

By Our Staff Correspondent

MUMBAI, AUG. 24. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has entered into a strategic joint marketing alliances with Raffles International to develop cross-promotional opportunities for both companies to harness each other's strengths in their respective markets of dominance.

Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, The Indian Hotels Company, while addressing the media here today, said, "We are looking at brand extensions in India and management contracts overseas. The U.K. market is very important for us. We already have a presence there and are looking for more opportunities. We would also like to have a presence in China. In essence, we are looking at North America, ASEAN region, China and the Middle East.

Regarding the initiative, Jennie Chua, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Raffles International said, "Other than the fit of brands and geographical reasons, Raffles has no presence in India and everyone knows India is the place to be. The alliance comes at the most opportune time when India's tourist industry is booming due to a rush of foreign tourists into the country and increased travel by Indians to domestic and overseas destinations. There are 300 million domestic vacationers and the number of visitors to India in the first six month was up 20 per cent over the same period last year. We want to tap into this."

Raffles Hotels and Resorts is a collection of 12 luxury hotels while there are 14 hotels under the Taj Luxury Hotels portfolio with eleven in India and three abroad. Under the alliance, both Taj and Raffles will develop reciprocal and joint marketing activities including joint partnerships in trade shows across Asia Pacific, Europe and America, sales events, culinary promotions and niche marketing programmes.

The alliance will also allow members of the loyalty programmes — Taj InnerCircle and Raffles Elite, to avail themselves of special amenities and privileges at participating hotels. These privileges include upgradation of rooms upon reservation and extended check-out time among others.

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