Tamara Leisure Experiences recently launched Tamara Kodai in Kodaikanal. Shruti Shibulal, CEO, Tamara Leisure Experiences speaks about the exclusivity of her brand, focus on sustainable tourism and expansion plans
What defines the brand Tamara?
Tamara stands firmly on its values of fairness to all stakeholders, transparency, sustainable practices, and corporate governance and embraces CSR activities through the SD Foundation and the Advaith Foundation. Tamara is also deeply committed to responsible tourism, respecting and supporting local culture and practices, and minimising intrusion on surrounding natural environment as little as possible. To this end, all Tamara properties are constructed with care and respect for the environment, aiming to create the experience of a Sustainable Good Life for every guest.
What is the unique positioning of The Tamara Kodai in the region’s hospitality market?
The Tamara Kodai experience is one that combines the best of luxury with the uniqueness of heritage experiences and nature getaways. The property will raise the bar for luxury travellers in Kodaikanal with the first resort of its kind, offering large suites fitted with state-of-the-art features and exquisite interiors, the first temperature-controlled swimming pool in Kodaikanal and culinary experiences that will redefine luxury for even the seasoned traveller. Added features like a sprawling lawn for wedding celebrations, top-notch conference facilities for corporate getaways, and an award-winning wellness centre makes The Tamara Kodai able to offer a wide range of experiences for our guests.
Which segment of travellers are you looking at attracting? How does your property cater to the changing profile and preferences of the new age Indian traveller?
We will be focused on reaching out to travellers coming to Kodaikanal predominantly from Tamil Nadu, followed by Bangalore, Kerala, North and West India, and finally, international travellers.
The segments are: honeymoon, wedding, leisure and tourism, transient population for Food and Beverage, wellness travellers, corporate groups.
The Tamara Kodai is well equipped to cater to the demands of the new age Indian traveller looking for well-equipped accommodation as well as unique experiences. In terms of facilities, the resort has 53 exquisite suites, a restaurant, a Bistro, a conference hall, a boutique store, an extensive lawn and an award-winning wellness centre. It also includes a kids zone, gymnasium, crèche and a skilled, trained and attentive staff to cater to any needs and desires of our guests. In terms of experiences, The Tamara Kodai brings together the best of nature and heritage. Kodaikanal is a region rich with history and some of the most beautiful shola forests in India. In-house naturalists will guide our guests through treks, to breath taking viewpoints and waterfalls, and off-road cycling for our more adventurous guests. We also offer tours of nearby attractions with activities like old-fashioned boating, cheese-tastings and horse riding in the nearby town. Within the resort itself, we also have fireplaces, a quiet library, indoor activities including chess, darts, cards and board games and outdoor activities such as archery. In this way, we hope to be a property that has a large range of facilities and experiences to offer each and every guest.
Your focus on promoting sustainable tourism, and how is it aligned with your business strategy?
Sustainable and responsible business practices are the need of the day, in a world of growing environmental concerns. Both our Tamara properties – The Tamara Coorg and The Tamara Kodai – are placed in the heart of beautiful hills, rich in flora and fauna. We aim to help facilitate a deep relationship between luxury travellers and sensitivity towards our precious natural resources and set an example within the luxury tourism industry.
Your expansion plans for the future? Are you looking at going beyond South India?
Tamara Leisure Experiences currently runs properties across South India and Germany, aiming to expand, own, and manage 1000 keys globally by 2025. The following are some of our upcoming projects:
Palma Laguna: This is a luxury holiday resort located in Vembanadu Lake at Ponnadu, Alleppey, Kerala. Palma Laguna has the additional charm of carrying traditional Kerala architectural elements at its heart. Currently under development, this wellness-focused property, on completion, will comprise 19 guest rooms and five spa rooms.
Trivandrum Project: This business hotel located in Trivandrum, Kerala, will comprise of 150 rooms. The first phase will become operational with 80 rooms along with amenities including a convention centre, a specialty restaurant, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre, party lawn, and infinity pool. Construction is in progress and is expected to be completed in 2018.
Lilac: This mid-segment hotel will comprise of 20 rooms and a large meeting space, which will be located in Jayanagar, Bangalore. It is expected to be completed in 2018.
In addition to these immediate plans, we as a company hope to expand to other parts of India and internationally as well.
Would you like to highlight any other significant factor?
As a company, Tamara Leisure Experiences is attempting to find a unique balance between many crucial factors – luxury tourism, responsible and sustainable business practices, wellness experiences, meaningful heritage and nature-based activities, and special events that may be significant to our guests such as destination weddings or corporate retreats.
In this way, the company hopes to set a new standard in hospitality and a new approach to luxury travel, which, we believe, is the need of the day.