Nagaland government signs deal with Hotel Polo Towers for star hotels

KOHIMA — In what could boost the tourism industry in the state, the government of Nagaland on Wednesday signed a lease agreement with the Hotel Polo Towers Group, a hospitality giant in the Northeast, for development of 4/5 star hotels or of higher category, with entertainment and retail facilities, in the state’s two major urban settlements — Dimapur and Kohima.

The agreement was signed by the director of Tourism department, Keduosie-ϋ M. Rio, and the CEO and Director of Hotel Polo Towers Group, Deval Tibrewalla, for Dimapur Tourist Lodge and erstwhile New Millennium at New Ministers Hill Kohima, under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The signing took place at Hotel Japfü in Kohima in the presence of Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, MLA Kevipodi Sophie and other officials from the department.

It was informed that the initial lease period is 30 years from the commencement of commercial operations and extendable for another 30 years with similar terms, and on completion of 60 years, the parties will mutually renew the lease.

The Tourist Lodge Dimapur facility will feature top-of-the-line accommodations, multiple dining venues, entertainment centres, and retail shops. Its rental is INR 35 lakh, payable annually with an annual increase of 4% rent.

The facility in Kohima will provide a luxury hotel experience to serve both business and leisure travellers, it was informed. The New Millennium’s rental amount stands at INR 25 lakh payable annually with a yearly increase of 4%.

These landmark projects are set to elevate the tourism and economic landscape of Nagaland, it said.

Speaking at the event, Temjen Along credited Chief Minister Neiphiu for the deal which took about two years to seal. He added Nagaland has just stepped into the tourism sector, which is transforming lives of many people across the world.

He urged the Hotel Polo Towers Group to uphold Naga heritage and work with the people and for the people, while assuring the co-operation of the state government.

Deval said the group aims to take tourism to whoever wants to experience it and fill the gap.

Expressing keenness on the venture in Nagaland, he also assured to transform the facilities in both Kohima and Dimapur into landmark projects.

Legislator Sophie congratulated the Tourism department and the Hotel Polo Towers Group for signing the deal.

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