With a view to expand its hotel chain across the country, Welcome Heritage Group has acquired six new properties. The addition of these new properties has raised the total tally of Welcome heritage hotels in India to 60 in 19 different destinations. Welcome Heritage Group is a joint venture between ITC and Marudhar Hotels. The chairman of the Welcome Heritage Group, erstwhile Maharaja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh is reported to have signed the acquisition agreement of the properties on November 4, 2008.

 

The six new acquisitions of properties include the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner, Camellia Resorts at Shantiniketan in West Bengal, Bob’s Place at Nathuakhan in Nainital district, Singhasan Haveli in Mandawa in Rajasthan, Koolwal Kothi in Nawalgarh, and Raobagh Palace in Bundelkhand. After owning the properties, Welcome Heritage will execute some renovation tasks of many of resorts to convert them into productive assets.

 

According to Gaj Singh, the inclusion of new properties will consolidate the portfolio of the hotel group. The acquisition will also help to develop the tourism industry of the regions. He further said that India's heritage tourism has expanded to a great extent in the past few years. As a result, the hotel group is eying to position itself in the domestic travel segment. According to media reports, Welcome Heritage will provide all kinds of help to the newly acquired properties including marketing, logistics and infrastructure support.