IHCL and GIC Create A Rs. 4000 Cr. / USD 600 Million Platform to Acquire Hotel Assets

Mumbai, May 18, 2019: The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, today announced a strategic partnership with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC for an investment Platform to the tune of Rs. 4000 crores or USD 600 million over a period of three years. This Platform will be used to acquire fully operational hotels in the Luxury, Upper Upscale and Upscale segments in India.

This Platform will look at potential hotel assets primarily located in key lodging markets in India. The mandate is to acquire fully operational hotels which will also include distressed or underperforming hotels that can be turned around banking on IHCL’s experience and capabilities.

Commenting on the signing of this agreement, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are delighted to partner with GIC, one of the most reputable global investors. This collaboration is in line with Aspiration 2022 and our vision to scale up, create greater enterprise value and make IHCL South Asia’s most iconic and profitable hospitality company. Through this Platform, we expect to acquire strategic and marquee assets that need new ownership, branding and positioning.”

Key highlights of the Platform for IHCL are:

• IHCL will be able to pursue acquisitions in an asset light format, with the equity contribution from IHCL at 30% and the balance 70% contributed by GIC.
• Each acquisition is intended to be in a separate SPV with its own funding.
• The hotels acquired will be managed by IHCL under its various brands and complement the company’s current growth aspirations via Management Contracts.

Mr. Kok Sun Lee, Chief Investment Officer of GIC Real Estate, said, “GIC is pleased to partner with IHCL, a leading hotel owner and operator, to build a quality hospitality portfolio in key destinations across India. As a long-term investor, we are confident in the outlook of India’s hospitality sector. We look forward to working closely with established partners such as IHCL to pursue attractive opportunities and capture the sector’s growth potential.”

About The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj – the hallmark of iconic hospitality, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels and Ginger which is revolutionizing the lean luxe segment.

Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel - The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL operates 179 hotels including 30 under development globally across 4 continents, 12 countries and in over 80 locations.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is South Asia’s largest Indian hospitality company by market capitalization. It is primarily listed on the BSE and NSE.