IHCL and Ambuja Neotia Announce ₹2,700 Crore Hospitality Expansion Across West Bengal

West Bengal is set to receive a major boost to its tourism and hospitality sector, with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and Ambuja Neotia Group announcing plans for a ₹2,700 crore investment across the state. The expansion will include several new hotels, resorts and branded villas, with a significant focus on emerging tourist destinations in North Bengal.

The proposed projects will cover locations such as Ghum, Siliguri, Lataguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kolkata, Raichak and Digha. The partnership aims to expand beyond established tourist destinations and develop new hospitality experiences across the region.

The announcement comes at a time when tourism patterns are changing, with travellers increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional holiday circuits. Better road connectivity, improved air access and changing travel preferences are also creating opportunities for the hospitality industry in eastern and northeastern India.

Major Hotel Projects Planned in North Bengal

North Bengal is expected to be one of the key beneficiaries of the expansion. The proposed development pipeline includes three major Taj-branded properties.

The first is Taj Himya Kutir in Ghum, which is planned with 57 rooms along with 10 branded villas. The project is expected to add a premium hospitality option to the hill destination.

The second project is Taj Terai Kutir in Siliguri, which will have 140 rooms. Siliguri's importance as a gateway to the hills and northeastern states makes it an important location for hospitality investment.

The third property is Taj Vanya Kutir in Lataguri, which is planned with 30 rooms. Lataguri is known as an entry point to the forest and wildlife tourism circuit of North Bengal.

Apart from these projects, the expansion pipeline also includes AltAir House hotels in Kalimpong and Lataguri, as well as a Tree of Life property in Siliguri.

Taj Chia Kutir Expands with ₹100 Crore Investment

An important part of the partnership's expansion is the development of Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa at the Makaibari Tea Estate near Darjeeling.

The property first opened in 2020. On November 1, the expanded resort was unveiled after an investment of ₹100 crore. The expansion has added 28 rooms and approximately 15,000 square feet of banqueting space.

Located within the Makaibari Tea Estate, the resort offers guests an experience connected with the region's tea-growing landscape. The expansion is expected to strengthen its position as a premium destination for travellers visiting the Darjeeling hills.

Tourism Moving Beyond Traditional Destinations

IHCL Managing Director Puneet Chhatwal said that tourism in the region was gradually moving beyond established destinations such as Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Improved highways, better air connectivity and changing travel habits are helping new destinations attract visitors. Travellers are increasingly choosing self-drive holidays, extended weekends and more frequent short trips.

The COVID-19 pandemic also changed domestic travel preferences, encouraging more people to explore different destinations within India.

According to Chhatwal, developing tourism markets in eastern and northeastern India will be a long-term process, potentially taking 10 to 20 years. Travellers from major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru could become an important customer base for these emerging destinations.

New Opportunities for Kolkata, Raichak and Digha

The hospitality expansion is not limited to North Bengal. Kolkata, Raichak and Digha are also included in the broader development plans.

On October 31, the partnership launched two AltAir House hotels under the IHCL SeleQtions brand in Kolkata and Siliguri.

The Kolkata property, located at Ecospace Business Park in New Town, has 42 rooms and suites. The Siliguri property, situated within Uttorayon Township, offers 60 rooms and suites.

Further hospitality projects are planned across Kolkata, Raichak and Digha, adding to the group's growing presence in West Bengal.

Tea Estate Tourism and Government Policy

Ambuja Neotia Group Chairman Harshavardhan Neotia highlighted the role of policy changes in supporting tourism-related development on tea-estate land.

He said that a change in the West Bengal government's policy after the pandemic allowed 15 per cent of tea-estate land to be used for tourism-related activities.

This has created additional opportunities to develop hospitality projects in tea-growing regions, where natural landscapes and local experiences can attract visitors.

However, developing tourism infrastructure in the hills also involves several challenges. These include environmental impact assessments, construction planning, water-resource management, supply-chain arrangements and the development of local talent.

Puneet Chhatwal emphasised the importance of coordination between government authorities and private investors to ensure that tourism development takes place responsibly.

Focus on Local Employment and Regional Development

The expansion is also expected to create opportunities for local communities. Hospitality projects require employees across several areas, including housekeeping, restaurant operations, gardening and guest services.

The Taj Chia Kutir resort, for example, employs local residents in different operational roles. This connects tourism development with employment opportunities and local livelihoods.

As new properties are developed across West Bengal, the partnership aims to strengthen the state's hospitality infrastructure and attract visitors to a wider range of destinations.

Overall, the ₹2,700 crore expansion by IHCL and Ambuja Neotia represents a significant investment in West Bengal's tourism sector. With new Taj properties, branded villas and AltAir House hotels planned across the state, the initiative could help emerging destinations gain greater visibility while creating new opportunities for tourism-related businesses and local communities.