MUMBAI (TIP): Kunming, the capital and largest city of the Yunnan province in South-West China, holds particular interest for the Indian Hotel Company’s (IHC) expansion plans. The entry of the Taj Group’s two brands, Taj and Vivanta by Taj in Kunming, are to enable the hospitality major gain more than a toehold in the Chinese market.

Early 2014, Hotel Taj Temple of Heaven is to open its doors in Beijing, while a 300-room property in the Hainan island is being developed as a premium holiday resort. IHC, which runs the Taj Group of hotels, is also to invest in a Taj Hotel, with approximately 200 rooms, and a Vivanta by Taj Hotel, with approximately 300 rooms, in the Kunming Expo Garden in the Yunnan province.

In January 2012, IHC had signed an agreement with the Yunnan Tourism Company to construct, develop, operate and manage two hotels in the Kunming Expo Garden.