India: The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL), owners and operators of the Taj hotel brand under the Tata Group, has launched a branded homestay product, entitled “Ama Trails & Stays.”
The properties within the overall product include heritage bungalows, guesthouses and homestays in a number of diverse locations across the country.
IHCL has now signed a contract to manage nine heritage bungalows with Tata Coffee (which also comes under the Tata Group company) in Coorg and Chikmagalur. In addition, it is set to add two of its own bungalows in Goa by mid-2020 under the Ama umbrella brand.
IHCL managing director and CEO, Puneet Chhatwal, said: “IHCL has launched Ama Trails & Stays in response to evolving guest needs for local, immersive and authentic experiences.”
He also added that he was confident that the group would be able to scale up the product to 100 units before the end of 2020 across the Indian sub-continent.
Ama Plantation Trails comprises nine bungalows, of which eight are located in and around the coffee estate of Pollibetta in Coorg across 20,000 acres of land. Guests have the choice of taking a tour of the plantation, going bird watching or playing golf.
Meanwhile, Ama Homestays will commence operations with two units in Candolim, Goa.
The guests will also be able to earn loyalty points through the Taj InnerCircle loyalty programme. Bookings will be available to make from 1 March.