Hospitality Industry in Expansion Mode    by Rajinder Dogra

Source: Times News Network

Indian Real Estate: On an Acquisition Spree

India's hospitality industry seems to be in an expansion mode, further fuelling the real estate boom that simply refuses to die out. The latest entrant to the field is Ramapuram Group, owners of the Orange County Resorts and Hotels in Coorg. With plans to invest Rs. 120-crore on the acquisition of four properties across Karnataka, the group has already acquired 20-acres in Hampi. "If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi!" Seat of the Vijayanagara empire in 1336 A.D., an empire famous for its support towards renovation and reconstruction of temples through out India., renowned for re-establishment of Indian culture, its support for music, art and literature, this empire stretched and covered Karnataka, Andhra and Maharashtra, only to become a by-word for a golden reign.

And, with Ramapuram Group entering the area with a view to setting up a hospitality industry in the region, something that should have been done much, much earlier on, as Hampi and its surrounding areas have great tourist potential, overrun as it is with ruins that silently narrate a story of grandeur, splendour and fabulous wealth. The splendid palaces and gateways of this broken city tell a tale of men of infinite talent and creativity, the ruins of Hampi offering a reminder of the greatest land in the whole world. Every rock, every path and every monument at Hampi speaks the same language; a language of glory and beauty, leading the Government of India to announce the development of Hampi into an international destination centre.

Apart from Hampi, the Ramapuram Group is in the process of acquiring 40-acres in Karvar and 28-acres in Kumbalgodu, and will be launching Orange County in Beerampally village by December 2006. Becoming operational in 3 to 4-years, all Ramapuram resorts except for one (Kumbalkod village) will operate under the Orange County brand. As for Kambini spread over 20-acres, it will see Rs. 14-crore in development and comprise of 34-luxury suites built by the side of a reservoir. Very different in theme from the Coorg Orange County resort, this one will be based on the concept of a tribal village to target in-bound, high-end premium tourists in the main.

As India outperforms itself in the economic sector, and a growing number of multinationals establish their presence on the sub-continent, the traffic flow of businessmen and tourists has increased. Now, 5-star to 1-star, all hotels and motels are going house full, while the queue waiting outside to be accommodated grows larger. It is just as well, developers are venturing into the hospitality industry, instead of just putting up residential and commercial complexes.

Not so far into the future, India will become the focal point of the world, and in keeping with its ancient tradition of hospitality, when honoured guests were treated on par with God, it is only natural that India upgrades and builds more hospitality centres to cope with the endless Guest Gods that are streaming into India. The good fortunes of the Indian IT industry in a ripple effect are widening and spreading their happy destiny to every conceivable field, last but not least, the hospitality industry. And, for every new industry, real estate is required, a real estate market already booming and expected to continue to boom!

Investor or end-user, you can't go wrong buying into Indian real estate!

About the Author

we are in real estate business and wants to provide information about the india real estate.

Two Innkeepers Give First-hand Accounts of What Visitors Can Expect as the City Gears-up for post-Katrina Mardi Gras.    by Mary White

BnBFinder.com recently spoke with two Bed and Breakfast owners in New Orleans about their experiences and impressions of their city in the aftermath of September's hurricane disaster. Hopes are high and nearly all city-center businesses are up and running. In fact, all but two of the 15 New Orleans Bed and Breakfast Inns listed on BnBFinder.com are open for business. According to Innkeeper Al Hyman, the city's bittersweet Jazz Funeral tradition epitomizes local sentiment best of all. * * *

Guy Fournier and his wife Nancy, only recently purchased and took-over operations at the Sully Mansion in the Garden district near to St. Charles Avenue, the French Quarter and Magazine Street. They are long-time New Orleans enthusiasts, deeply involved in the city's fascinating particularities from Creole food to jazz. They had already been considering buying a Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans as their semi-retirement business for several years when Katrina hit. They had narrowed their search down to three existing licensed Inns and just after the hurricane; their estate agent urged them to consider purchasing Sully Mansion. After many sleepless nights in deliberation, the couple decided to invest in the city they love and become an active part of the reconstruction process. Now, just a month into full operation, they couldn't be happier with their decision.

Guy immediately dispelled all the concerns about visiting New Orleans. Downtown businesses, restaurants and shops are in full operation. The airport and roads are open. Gas and groceries are plentiful. There is plenty of fresh water, the electricity is on, and there are no foul odors or epidemic illnesses whatsoever. So long as you stay in the oldest, well-known tourist areas of the city, you would not even be aware that a disaster of the magnitude of Katrina struck less than six months ago. Some areas such as boutique-and-gallery-lined Magazine Street are more lively and pristine than ever. The Sully Mansion is already fully booked for Mardi Gras (end of February) and looks forward to receiving first-time visitors and long-time New Orleans lovers for all occasions for years and years to come.

Al Hyman of Hotel St. Pierre in the French Quarter put the present situation in a poignant, historical context. The oldest parts of the city (founded in 1718 by French settlers) were built on the natural levees along the banks of the Mississippi. Because they are elevated the damage was of the 3 or 4 grade hurricane variety, but nothing close to the decimation by the floods in the outlying suburbs. The general look of these renowned neighborhoods is about the same as pre-Katrina except for a few restaurants yet to open, and parts of the streetcar route along St. Charles Avenue still closed for wire and road repairs. At last count there were about 150,000 of the original 500,000 residents back in the crescent shaped downtown, which includes the Central Business District, French Quarter, Uptown and Garden District. Al likened the more intimate feeling to that of the mid 1800's when the population was about the same as it is today. He added that restaurants, bars and coffee houses are not only open but truly bustling with business. Reservations are required further in advance than before and lines in cafés are longer than ever (but are never too long). The most contagious thing by far is the buzz of optimism in the air.

Al expects Mardi Gras (weekend before through Feb 27) to be scaled down from previous years, but possibly even better for the sense of solidarity and renewal fostered by those who weathered the storm or have recently returned. He in no way diminishes the scope of the horrible tragedy and losses in the lowland wards cutting across all demographic and socio-economic lines, but emphasized how New Orleanians have a long-established tradition of mourning in a celebrative spirit, hence his reference to Jazz Funerals. Sorrow is expressed in beauty, especially beautiful music.

Also, the New Orleans that was rife with crime, poor schools, and a badly neglected infrastructure has a chance to redeem itself and continue in its long history of transforming tragedy into a rich culture of celebration rites created by the city's unique blend of peoples, flavors and languages, open for all to enjoy.

It's still easy to find a steaming plate of red beans and rice, genuine southern hospitality and all the comforts and charms offered by the most distinct city in America. Come on down!

About the Author

Mary White is Founder of BnBFinder a bed & breakfast directory that lists numerous Bed & Breakfast Inns in New Orleans