Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), the hospitality subsidiary of the Tata Group, has revealed its intention to construct two Taj-branded resorts on Suheli and Kadmat islands in Lakshadweep. These developments, scheduled to open in 2026, were part of an agreement signed in January last year. Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago, gained prominence following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit, sparking debates on social media comparing it to the Maldives. The Greenfield projects are set to be developed by IHCL.
Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IHCL, on January 10, 2023, said in an official release, “This signing is in line with IHCL’s pioneering spirit, which has put several destinations such as Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa and Andamans on the global tourist map. The sustainability-focused development will aim to create minimal footprint while preserving the fragile eco-system in yet another unexplored location.”
“We see significant potential in Lakshadweep, with its pristine beaches and coral reefs set amongst the Arabian Sea. The two world class Taj resorts will attract international as well as national travellers,” he reportedly added.
As per available reports, the Taj at Suheli will feature 110 rooms, including 60 beach villas and 50 water villas. The Taj hotel on Kadmat Island will offer rooms comprising 75 beach villas and 35 water villas. Kadmat, also known as Cardamom Island, is a coral-rich island recognized as a marine protected area crucial for the nesting of marine turtles.
A coral island with a large lagoon, Kadmat Island, also known as Cardamom Island, is a marine protected area with seagrass beds, which are a nestling ground for marine turtles. Featuring 110 rooms, the Taj hotel at Kadmat will comprise of 75 beach villas and 35 water villas, IHCL has added.
Furthermore, an Ahmedabad-based small-cap firm, Praveg, known for its luxury resorts, is also developing a tent city in Lakshadweep. In December 2023, Praveg announced that it had secured a work order encompassing the development, operation, maintenance, and management of a minimum of 50 tents on Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.
