Iskcon Bangalore is looking at opening accommodation

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"Sources say Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Bangalore is looking at opening accommodation facilities at nine devotional destinations, which would boast of a unique product. The offering, which could range from being a budget hotel to a serviced apartment complex to full-fledged homes, will invoke the essence of the particular religious destination in which it is based."

 

Hotel biggies bet on religious tourism

 

The Times of India

 

BANGALORE 28 Sep 2007, 0032 hrs IST,Anshul Dhamija & Mini Joseph Tejaswi,TNN: India's religious destinations and temple towns draw some of the largest numbers of tourists and devotees. Yet, most of them can't speak much for their hospitality facilities. It's dominated by small standalone lodging places, whose hygiene, cleanliness, safety and food offerings often leave much to be desired.

That could now change. Major hotel chains and newer entrants into the hospitality industry see a potential business coming from the increasing demand for quality accommodation at affordable prices from the 150 million domestic devotional travellers.

Budget hotel Ginger, which already has a presence in Haridwar, is on its way to open shop at Puri. "We are also keen on going to Tirupati," says Prabhat Pani, CEO, Roots Corporation of Tata Group which owns Ginger brand. The hotel, in order to get more room nights, is planning to offer wellness facilities at its leisure-cum-devotional destinations.

Sources say Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Bangalore is looking at opening accommodation facilities at nine devotional destinations, which would boast of a unique product. The offering, which could range from being a budget hotel to a serviced apartment complex to full-fledged homes, will invoke the essence of the particular religious destination in which it is based.

Taposh Chakraborty, CEO of Boutique Hospitality Consultants, says the market at religious destinations has tremendous potential for growth, as people look at quality accommodation to extend their trip for a few extra days.

On an average, people visit devotional places twice in a year. There are some who visit temples every month. Around 90% visit with friends and families and stay on an average for two-three nights.

What's fuelling the interest of hospitality players is also the growing number of NRI and new age urban Indians to these pilgrim centres. Some of the leading devotional destinations are Tirupati, Puri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Shirdi, Velankanni, Guruvayoor and Amarnath.

While, basic comfort and hygiene is what the masses want, some 5% of the travellers look at luxury offerings.

Sudhir Gopi Holdings, pioneers in the field of higher education services, are now foraying into the hospitality sector with the launch of their debut luxury project Vaikundam Retreat in Guruvayoor. The group is planning to build a chain of luxury serviced apartments across the pilgrim centres of south India, including Palani, Velankanni, Tirupati and Puttaparti.

"We are investing Rs 500 crore to set up luxury/religious hospitality properties," says Sudhir Gopi, CMD.