Breaking new ground in the Indian hospitality industry, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, one of South Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, has entered into a joint venture with Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) and Cigen Corporation, part of the Chaudhary Group, to provide wildlife enthusiast, circuit tourists and high-end domestic travelers with fascinating ‘Wildlife Experiences’ within India, with an ecologically sustainable model. This venture will offer a mix of game sightings, nature walks through the jungle and meditative experiences in solitude. The lodges will be designed on a light footprint and will offer guests romance, luxury, personalized service and expert guides. 

Through this venture, the parties would benefit substantially from the expertise of CC Africa in delivering a unique and in-depth interpretive wildlife experience in Africa. 

The rollout of the venture has been planned in a phased manner across key wildlife locations in the Indian subcontinent.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raymond Bickson, managing director, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said, “With the immense global interest generated about India in the recent past, we believe there is tremendous opportunity in a planned, aggressive thrust to promote the abundant wildlife offerings in this country. Towards this endeavour, we are happy to be associated with CC Africa. With this venture, the Taj will make a concentrated effort on improving the quality of safari management in India and taking it to international standards, while promoting wildlife tourism within the country.”

Mr Steve Fitzgerald, chief executive officer, CC Africa, added, “We are delighted to work with the most well connected and knowledgeable network of hotels to explore the wide range of opportunities in a fascinating wildlife destination like India. This joint venture allows us, for the first time, to implement outside Africa, our model of a successful ecotourism business which contributes time, passion and revenue towards the presentation of wilderness biodiversity and community benefits.”

Wildlife tourism is an important sub-segment of Ecotourism, and in recent years the natural wealth of the Indian subcontinent has begun to offer naturalists, tourists and researchers a fascinating alternative to Africa, the Mecca of wildlife and nature tourism. With approximately 485 sanctuaries and 87 national parks in India, it offers every possibility of sighting a variety of exotic flora and fauna. 

In keeping with the philosophy of community development, integral to the Tata Group, a Wildlife Advisory Group comprising of environmentalists, forest officials and NGOs is proposed to be set up. Apart from advising the Taj Hotels in its foray into wildlife tourism, this body would also serve as a certification body endorsing the authenticity of the experience. 

About CC Africa
Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) is the continent's leading Ecotourism company and one of the most comprehensive safari operators with exceptional lodges and safaris in Africa's most breathtaking wilderness locations. The company is well known for its success in creating a business that has reaped viable financial returns through long-term investment in commercial wildlife conservation. With over 30 years of tour operating and safari planning in Africa, and a strong focus on guided and walking safaris, CC Africa’s portfolio consists of 38 high-end private game lodges and camps across South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. Some of their internationally acclaimed lodges include Phinda, Londolozi and Ngala in South Africa and Mnemba and Ngorongoro in Tanzania. 

About the Chaudhary Group
One of the largest business groups in Nepal with interests in Food & Beverages (F&B), financial services, infrastructure and the hospitality sector. Over the last decade, the Chaudhary Group has grown extensively both in its local markets through partnership arrangements and in other Asian markets through direct investments. The Chaudhary Group and the Taj currently are partners in Taj Asia Limited, which is the vehicle through which the partners own, operate and plan to expand their hospitality interests in the South Asian and Asia-Pacific markets.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces is one of South Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 57 hotels in 38 locations across India with an additional 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its flagship hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house. 

Key Features of this initiative

• The Indian Ecotourism market, with its tiger sighting potential and variety of exotic flora and fauna, is poised to grow rapidly.

• The tie-up will result in a joint venture company with all parties having equal shareholding.

• In keeping with the Tata philosophy of community development, the venture will be a unique collaborative effort where high-end wildlife tourism will be promoted in India within a larger mission to preserve the ecology & natural environment of the country. 

• In this initiative, the Taj & CC Africa will actively work with the Central and State governments.