The Taj group of hotels is planning a joint venture with Conservation Corporation Africa and the Chaudhary group of Nepal to promote eco tourism projects and wild life resorts in India and Nepal.

Rajiv Gujral, chief operating officer and senior vice-president, international division, Taj group, said: "Eco tourism offers tremendous opportunity for growth and has lot of potential."

The new venture will be jointly managed by Taj and CC Africa, and the properties will be co-branded. The partners will also have an equal interest in the holding company.

Incidentally, the Chaudhary’s are an equal partner in Taj Asia, the holding company for the Taj group’s properties in Asia.

CC Africa is Africa’s largest eco tourism group, and operates in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe fulfilling management, reservations, tour operating, guest services and administrative requirements.

Explaining the rationale behind roping in CC Africa, Gujral said: "They (CC Africa) share the same values... and are concerned about the environment. Also, they will bring in their rich experience in wild life safaris into the joint venture."

The Taj group currently has five properties —Taj Hari Mahal in Jodhpur, Sawai Madhpur Lodge at Ranthambore, Taj Garden Retreat (Thekkedy), Hotel Chandela at Panna, and the Gir Lodge at Sasan Gir. These destinations/properties are promoted as wild life resorts/eco tourist spots.

As per the plan, the existing properties will be brought under a single entity — the new holding company between the Taj group and CC Africa. The group is also looking at bringing new properties under the joint venture.