Taj in talks with EMKE for Abu Dhabi foray

BANGALORE: The Taj group is expanding its presence in the Middle East. Indian Hotels (IHCL), which operates hotels and resorts under the Taj brand, is exploring a tie-up with retail giant EMKE group to foray into Abu Dhabi.

IHCL is looking to launch a condominium of a five-star hotel and serviced apartment in Abu Dhabi through a management contract deal with EMKE group of Indian origin, sources said. The hospitality major has also shown keen interest in other potential destinations in the Middle East such as Muscat and Bahrain, the sources added.

IHCL plans to operate the Abu Dhabi property under the Taj Palace brand. The proposed Taj Palace will have a room inventory of 250 guest rooms and 400 serviced apartments. When contacted, the Taj spokesperson said, ”The Taj has not reached at any agreement with any body for Abu Dhabi,"

The Taj hotel in Abu Dhabi could be the fourth property of the Taj group in the gulf region. IHCL operates Taj Palace in Dubai. The upcoming condominium, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and The Grandeur Residences project at the Palm Jumeirah Crescent in Dubai is scheduled to be operational by 2009.

Taj group is setting up this $330-million condominium project with Dubai-based developer ETA Star. The $1.2-billion Abu Dhabi-based EMKE group runs supermarket, hypermarket, departmental stores and shopping malls across Middle East and other countries.