Dept of Tourism gives nod for 664 hotel projects

Chennai: The Department of Tourism has approved 664 hotel projects, with a room capacity of 33,000 in southern states under various categories according to South India Hotels & Restaurants Association (SIHRA). Tamil Nadu will have 6 new five-star hotels, followed by Andhra Pradesh (2) and Karanataka (2), and Kerala (1).

Between April 2007 and September 2008 alone around 117 projects were approved. All these projects are expected to be completed by 2011. Once these projects are completed another 9,300 rooms would be added in southern states.

The projects include 12 five-star hotels (2,900 rooms), 4 four-star hotels (600) and 152 three-star hotels (5,783 rooms). It is interesting to note the maximum number of 3 star hotels are coming up in Kerala. The state got approval for 110 projects under this category followed by 80 in Andhra Pradesh, 40 in Karnataka and 22 in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai city alone is expected to add 4,000 rooms by the year 2012. These rooms will be in 5 star Deluxe to 3 Star category, according to M P Purushothaman, president, SIHRA.