JW Marriot opens hotel in Kolkata; CM Mamata hails boost in investments in Bengal
International brand JW Marriot has opened its hotel in Kolkata. Speaking at the launch, CM Banerjee said that there is a boom in hospitality sector of the state.
In Short
- Luxury brands JW Marriot opens hotel in Kolkata.
- There is an upswing in hospitality sector of the state: Mamata.
- Businessmen and industrialist are showing interest in the state: Mamata.
Marriot the largest luxury international hotel brand with 5,700 hotels all over the world opened its first luxury and life style hotel in Kolkata in association with the real estate company, Mani Group.
With this, the JW Marriot's strength in India increases to eight. For West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee it was important to have the foot fall of the international brand to prove that West Bengal was turning around.
Banerjee, speaking on the occasion of inauguration, said that hotel and hospitality business was picking up in Bengal and it was evidence enough to `prove that West Bengal is a happening state and industrialists were showing interest in the state.
She also reminded the audience that the project worth Rs 1,200 crore came up without any difficulty.
The chief minister was obviously referring to the allegations of extortion and criticisms of high-handedness, her party has to face, whenever projects hit a block.
FLAK FROM OPPOSITION
While the Opposition keeps blaming her land policy for lack of industries and investment in the state, industrialists and corporate big wigs, time and again, have complained against extortion and fleecing by her party members.
A visibly content Banerjee told the Marriot and Mani Group chief executive officers that this was going to be the "auspicious light" for the city with the state already gearing up for the Diwali illumination.
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The 28-storeyed building sprawling over 38,000 square-feet area has a spacious 14,000 square foot ball room, 281 rooms, six food and beverage outlets, swimming pool and a 180-seater night club.
The CEO of Mani Group, Sanjay Jhunjhunwala said that the market in Kolkata was dynamic and with JW Marriot, the other city hotels will be getting a world leader to compete with them.
BOOMING KOLKATA
He was hopeful that the hotel will do good business since in the first month the hotel has recorded 50% occupancy. "Rarely in the first month we have such occupancy rates," said general manager of JW Marriot, R Alex.
Rajeev Menon, representative of the Marriot Group said that 85 million Marriot members are frequent travellers and surely they will opt for the Marriot brand, wherever it is available. Moreover, perception about Bengal is changing and the presence of such luxury brands only indicates that things are changing.
Close to the hotel, JW Marriot was providing a pay and use option for service residences, which could be available on lease either for short term such as five months, five years or for long term -- 99 years.
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