The expansion will see a large increase in its domestic and international portfolio of 100 properties, which is spread out in 53 locations across India and in countries such as the US, UK, Africa, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Key areas that Taj is looking at to expand its global presence are China, the Middle East (where it already has a few hotels), Thailand and Morocco.

Pictured left: Baghvan Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

In China, two properties, developed by the Zhong Qi Group, are slated for “future” openings. The 106-room Taj Palace of Heaven, Beijing is located next to the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of the Temple of Heaven. On Hainan Island the Taj Palace, Hainan is a 500-key resort with 40 villas spread over 60 acres of land.

In Dubai the Taj group will manage the Taj Exotic Resort & Spa, Palm Jumeirah; in Doha the Taj Exoica Golf Resort and Spa; in Abu Dhabi Taj Resort & Spa, Yas Island (opening 2013).

Earmarked for 2012 openings are two properties in Morocco – Taj Palace, Marrakech and Taj Resort & Spa Tangiers. In the same year the Taj Exotica Spa & Resort Phuket in Thailand is due to open.

The group has no plans currently to expand its range of luxury hotels to regional cities such Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, said Ivy Ong, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces’ regional director of sales. (pictured right).

“There are already too many international brands and five star luxury hotels in these cities. Taj will instead concentrate on other international destinations and opening in the inners cities in India such as Bombay, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.”

Vivanta by Taj, launched in September 2010 with hotels in several Indian cities, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, plans to grow its room inventory to 5,000 from the current 2,500 over the next two years. Among the destinations earmarked for this luxury brand are Srinagar, Kashmir, Coorg, Karnataka and Bekal, Hyderabad and Kerala.

Ong said another focus area for the group is conservation, carried out through the tiger safari circuit. This is an initiative with Beyond (formerly Conservation Corporation Africa) of South Africa to manage wildlife and to relocate them such as the Gaur Relocation Initiative by Taj Safaris.

Pictured left: Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi

The current economic turbulence in Europe and political unrest in some countries have not had any adverse effects on the hotels’ occupancy. “We are still seeing regular traffic and the group will continue with its momentum of growth.”

Ong added that Taj also does not intend to “dilute” its branding and will continue to maintain its luxury image for its five hotel clusters, namely Grand Palaces & Iconic Hotels, City Hotels, Taj Safaris, Luxury Residences, and Taj Exotica Resort & Spa

* Photos of hotels courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces