Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence Acquires Another Indian Hotel

08th September 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Aitken Spence Hotels has added its fifth hotel to its portfolio in India. The company has taken over the management of the hill resort, Grand Palace Hotel and Spa in Yercaud, owned by MSV Hotels on October 1.

Aitken Spence Hotels is an emerging player in the Indian hospitality industry already managing four other resorts in India in Atithi - Puducherry, Poovar Island Resort - on the backwaters of Kerala, Barefoot at Havelock - Andaman Islands, Tamara - Coimbatore

“We are happy to expand our portfolio in India with the addition of Grand Palace Hotel and Spa, situated in one of the most scenic locations in Tamil Nadu. This partnership will enable us to further consolidate our presence in South India,” Aitken Spence Hotel Managements in India Chief Executive Officer Lakshman Ekanayake said.

Surrounded by misty mountains, Grand Palace Hotel is a hill resort offering an enchanting view of the Yercaud Lake on one side and the picturesque valley of Killiyur on the other.

The town has derived its name from the lake located at its center - “Yeri” meaning “lake” and “Kaadu” meaning “forest” in Tamil.

This enchanting township situated close to Salem, surrounded by coffee plantations and orange groves is a very popular holiday destination.

“The tourism industry in India has tremendous potential and we are glad to increase our Indian portfolio. It is evident that we were offered the management of Grand Palace and Spa as we have established our presence in India. Further we have been recognized for our ability to identify the potential in existing properties and transform them into star class, award winning hotels,” Aitken Spence Hotels Managing Director Malin Hapugoda said.