Taj inks marketing pact with Okura Hotels of Japan

MUMBAI: Indian hospitality major Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has struck a marketing alliance with Japan’s Okura Hotels to explore cross-promotional opportunities for both the companies.

This tie-up initially will give access to nine Taj properties and seven Okura properties across the world. “The list of properties will gradually be expanded. The Japanese market is a big source market for us and currently it accounts for little less than 15% of the business,” said Raymond Bickson, MD of Taj Resorts.

This tie-up will also allow customers a slew of benefits like reservations, travel benefits, and loyalty programmes. “We are not planning to set up hotels in India in the near future and this tie-up will allow us to expand business in India where leisure and business activity is fast increasing,” said Mikio Matsui, president, Okura Hotels.

Under the alliance, both Taj and Okura will jointly participate in trade shows, sales events, niche marketing programmes and culinary promotions. This will also include a special exchange programme wherein both organisations will send people to be trained in each other’s hotels in different areas of expertise.

This alliance will also support and enhance the Taj Hotels and Okura representation in different parts of the world. Okura has achieved a consolidated revenue of $515 million in the fiscal ended March 2007. Taj’s list of hotels include 77 hotels both in domestic and international markets, and Okura runs 24 hotels while 17 are located in Japan.

Meanwhile, Taj has moved to a single currency rate since September 1 and is hiking room rates by 15%. Traditionally, all hotel companies hike room rates in September. After a slow two quarters, the hospitality industry is gearing up for a high season, said Taj officials.