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Gateway heats up competition in Kolkata [Mail Today (India)](Mail Today (India) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) There are quite a few hotel options along the E. M. Bypass. Hyatt and ITC have been the dominant player in this area of the city for quite a few years now. How do you plan to hold up against the competition? All these hotels fall under the luxury segment, while we operate in the affordable luxury segment. We target the urban nomad, frequent business travellers who want value for money. Our rooms are priced at ` 6,000 upwards and if you consider the conveniences and services we offer, that is extremely affordable. This is has been proved by the response we have received from our guests. Although not all our rooms are functional at the moment, the occupancy rate is showing an upward trend. What sort of situational advantage does Gateway Kolkata enjoy? On one side we have the residential areas and an entire hospital block, which include some of the most reputed names in healthcare. On the other side is the Bypass and the way to the airport and the new business areas. Rajarhat, the new business district is located very close and would soon become the focal point of the city. We've seen in Bangalore, Gurgaon and Noida how the city shifts towards the business hubs and the same is predicted to happen in Kolkata. That way we are very conveniently located. Taj's second property in Kolkata came after a gap of 24 years. Why did it take so long? There were always talks of coming up with another property but it got held up. There were so many other properties coming up across the country that the plans had to be made step by step. What is your target group? As with all other Gateway hotels, we are targeting the business travellers. We have a large support system across the country. We are fast and efficient and that sets us apart from the rest. It is precisely what a business traveller or executive would want. We offer excellent in- room entertainment cum work facilities. You can connect your smart phone or laptop or iPod to the GPON technology- enabled TV system, watch a movie, listen to music or surf the internet and get to work. As a Taj brand you are expected to excel in your F& B offerings. What are you offering in that segment? Currently we have Buzz, the 24* 7 restaurant and Swirl, the bar. We also have a small deli, where you can sample freshlymade bread, chocolate and some delicious confectionery. One of the regional specialties we offer is the Purbo Bangla cuisine or the authentic Bangladeshi cuisine. GURU GYAN GATEWAY Hotel, Kolkata, the 24th property from the Taj brand came up in late 2013 and strengthened the group's footprint in the city with a second property after almost 24 years. The hotel, which officially opened its gates in December last year, stands on the arterial Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. All this and more gives it an edge over competition, believes General Manager Manu Sharma, who was the resident manager at Taj Bengal, before taking up charge here . (c) 2014 India Today Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company |