IHHR Adds Three Properties To Portfolio

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

The Indian Hotels and Health Resorts (IHHR) group - owners of the Ananda in the Himalayas - is in the pink of health, and it is showing. The long-awaited success, after a stint with Mandarin Oriental, has nurtured an expansion plan.

Ashok Khanna, managing director, IHHR, shared with the Express Travel & Tourism, that his blueprint is in place. “Yes, we are in the process of expanding our portfolio. Work has already started on two projects; one abroad, the other in south India, while the third, also in India, is in the pipeline.”

The Himalayan resort spa will stay unique as the three new projects will bear a different name and concept. Meanwhile, Khanna will spend an additional Rs five crore to expand the existing spa.

The decision can be seen as a natural corollary of the good financial performance posted by IHHR. The destination spa with an ARR of over Rs 10,000 broke even in the 2003-04 fiscal. The Rs 17 crore group expects to increase its turnover by more than 40 per cent in 2004-2005. To meet the increase in demand, Khanna will add five luxury cottages, a speciality restaurant, tennis court and exotic yoga pavilions in the surrounding Sal forest.