Your Ad Here

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Trident to re-open on Sunday 21st December '08

The Trident Hotel in Mumbai which was one of the targets of the 26/11 attacks is all set to reopen for its guests on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference, president of the Trident Hotel Ratan Keswani said that the hotel will hold a private prayer meet on Sunday in memory of those who lost their lives.

He also said that the Oberoi Hotel will take some time to reopen as there was a lot of restoration work to be done.

Keswani urged everyone to put behind them, the horrific attacks and said that whether the hotels were informed or not does not matter now.

He said that the hotel is working with a security agency to improve security standards.

PTI adds:The hotel expects at least 100 rooms to be occupied the same day.

The group's other hotel -- the Oberoi -- would, however, take six to seven months to reopen.

The group said that while the damage to the Oberoi is to the tune of Rs 40 to 50 crore, the Trident suffered damage of around Rs 40 to 50 lakh.

He said all the damages suffered by both the Oberoi and the Trident are covered by insurance. The group has also received Rs 25 crore as advance from one of the insurance company's for rebuilding and recovery work.

He added: "I would like to thank New India Assurance.

They have already released Rs 25 crore advances to help in our restoration effort."

"We are working with the insurance agencies to calculate the loss of profit (due to the damage and the subsequent closure)," he said.

He added that the hotel has faced "reasonably heavy" cancellation in bookings.

"Although bookings have been slow for now, we expect at least 100 rooms to be occupied tomorrow. The pace of bookings would hopefully increase with the passage of time," Trident Hotel President Rattan Keswani said.

The rate of cancellations in bookings is around 30 to 35 per cent.

Keswani added that the hotel would not be having any special New Year's or Christmas party this year although guests would be offered special menu for lunch and dinner.

No comments: