50 years of pioneering hospitality: Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa spells out IHCL’s legacy of luxury, innovation, and sustainable growth in Goa
India’s largest hospitality company marked a momentous milestone as it completed 50 years of Taj Fort
Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa. IHCL, with a 16-hotel portfolio, two air catering units and 40+ homestays, continues its pioneering leadership in Goa’s tourism landscape.
Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “Goa holds a special place in IHCL’s legacy. Beginning in 1974 with the launch of India’s first beach resort Taj Fort Aguada, this historic moment marked the dawn of luxury hospitality in Goa. Over the past 50 years, IHCL has been an integral part of Goa’s transformation into one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations. With the introduction of brands like Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger, and the homestay bungalows under amã Stays & Trails, IHCL offers experiences tailored to diverse traveller preferences.”
Elaborating on the above points Chhatwal further added.
IHCL’S PIONEERING LEADERSHIP IN GOA’S TOURISM LANDSCAPE
IHCL has had a significant presence in Goa for over five decades, playing a pivotal role in shaping the state’s tourism
landscape. Since the opening of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa in 1974, IHCL has been a pioneer in introducing
luxury hospitality experiences to Goa, making it a sought-after destination for travelers worldwide.
IHCL’S BRANDSCAPE
Today IHCL has a portfolio of 16 hotels and 2,500 rooms with 4 hotels under development, 2 air catering units and 40+ homestays in Goa of which 22 are in operation. This expansion phase is a combination of capital light led growth through management contracts, effective asset management and launch of new businesses. 6 Taj, 2 SeleQtions, 2 Vivanta, 6 Ginger and 41 amã Stays & Trails bungalows. The journey began in 1974 with the opening of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, India’s first luxury beach resort, transforming Goa into a global tourism hotspot. Since then, IHCL has continued to unveil iconic properties like Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa in North Goa and forayed in South Goa with Taj Exotica Resort & Spa. Doubling the luxury footprint of Taj, IHCL took over the management of Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dona Paula. This gives Goa its largest convention centre hosting global events. Catering to multiple segments, IHCL introduced SeleQtions with La Estoria and The Yellow House as well as Vivanta, Miramar and Panjim. Ginger’s lean luxe hotels in Panjim, Dona Paula, Margao and Candolim. IHCL started its airline catering unit TajSATS in Dabolim in May 2008 and recently opened another unit at MOPA airport in August 2023.
INNOVATION PLAYGROUND
Goa, one of the top ten lodging markets of the country and is the innovation playground for IHCL. The re-imagined Ginger was launched in Goa on 10th Dec 2018. Repurposed existing assets to create amã Stays & Trails bungalows.
Today the brand has the largest footprint with 41 bungalows in Goa, which has now entered the next phase of Greenfield development. There have been many firsts for IHCL in Goa – the launch of stand-alone F&B and new concepts like Papermoon, Seven Rivers and House of Nomad.
UNLOCKING THE TOURISM POTENTIAL
“Today, as Goa continues to develop its infrastructure, IHCL stays committed to realising the state’s tourism potential. This includes our continued investment be it the recently launched TajSATS air catering unit and the upcoming 300-key Ginger hotel at MOPA airport. To further butress its leadership position and investing in destination building, IHCL will develop the Aguada Plateau as a world-class tourism destination showcasing the state’s rich cultural legacy,” adds Chhatwal.
BEYOND BUSINESS – PEOPLE & PAATHYA
IHCL’s ESG+ framework of Paathya has been integrated in spirit and action at its hotels and brands across Goa. All
IHCL properties in Goa, stay committed to environmental sustainability and social impact, through beach clean-ups,
waste management programs, and partnerships with local communities. In line with Paathya’s goal of preserving the culture, IHCL actively supports local artisans and farmers by incorporating Goan art forms and locally sourced handicrafts. The hospitality leader is focused on employment generation and skill development, IHCL hotels in Goa prioritise local talent by hiring from nearby communities, significantly contributing to employment in the region.
Inextricably linked with the cultural fabric of the state, IHCL hotels seamlessly blend Goa’s natural beauty and cultural ethos with world-class experiences, showcasing the spirit of Goan hospitality.
