MYSORE: Foraying into the booming hospitality industry, the scion of the royal family of Mysore and former MP, Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, has announced his decision to start a chain of heritage hotels in south India.

Addressing a press conference at his palace here on Tuesday, Mr. Wadiyar said the heritage hotels will be established in places of tourist interests and will support his airline project as "both travel and hospitality go together."

Though Mr. Wadiyar has been a major player in the hotel and hospitality industry and has stakes in the Fernhill Palace in Ooty and the Rajendra Vilas Palace in Mysore, which is being overhauled and refurbished, the move to open a chain of heritage hotels is expected to raise the bar in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Wadiyar said that though his heritage hotel chain will be South-centric to begin with, he will expand his business operations and explore the possibility of acquiring heritage properties in the rest of the country, including Rajasthan, at a later stage. Mr. Wadiyar listed Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram, Allepey, Kumbakonam and Ooty where he will acquire heritage property and convert them to hotels.

Pointing out to the boom in the travel and tourism segment, Mr. Wadiyar said there is demand for quality service in the hospitality industry and his chain of heritage hotels will be uniquely placed to draw from the inherent heritage and traditions of the royal family.

Disclosing that he recently acquired a heritage property in Ooty, Mr. Wadiyar said it belonged to the erstwhile Prime Minister of Hyderabad. It is lavish in its décor and the 24 suites are exquisitely embellished with rare wooden furniture. The new heritage property called "Woodcock" will be ready for occupation within a few months, he added.

The project involves an investment of $90 million (Rs. 400 crores), which will be funded partially by a Hong Kong-based venture capitalist. Mr. Wadiyar will mobilise $50 million (Rs. 225 crores) for acquiring property and establishing heritage hotels.

Commenting on his airline project, Sky Palace, Mr. Wadiyar said the process of registration and securing licence is on. Mr. Wadiyar's Sky Palace or "Palace in the Sky" airline project has evinced intrigue and fascination as he has promised to impart a touch of royalty and make a difference in the airline industry that is witnessing the entry of private players in a big way.

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