TATA says BYE-BYE to Maldives tourism! Two Taj-branded resorts set to open in Lakshadweep

Tata Group's two resorts are slated to open in 2026 on the islands of Suheli and Kadmat in Lakshadweep - an Indian archipelago that has come into the spotlight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and subsequent tensions with the Maldives.

 

 

 

In January last year, the Indian Hotels Company, a subsidiary of Tata Group, announced the signing of two Taj-branded resorts in Lakshadweep. "The Greenfield projects are slated to open in 2026, and will be developed by IHCL," the company said.

 

 

 

This comes at a time when Lakshadweep is being promoted as a prime vacation destination for the Indian tourists, amid the strained relations between India and Maldives. Lakshadweep suddenly came into the spotlight after PM Modi shared the pictures of the islands and pitched them as a tourist destination.

 

 

The Taj Suheli is set to feature 110 rooms, including 60 beach villas and 50 water villas, while the Taj Kadmat will offer 110 rooms, consisting of 75 beach villas and 35 water villas. The latter, known as Cardamom Island, boasts a coral landscape, a vast lagoon, and a marine protected area vital for the nesting of marine turtles.

 

During his visit to Lakshadweep on January 2, the PM Modi had said the Union Territory was “full of many possibilities” and had asserted the Union government was “working with full commitment for the development of the entire Lakshadweep, including Agatti.” Several photographs and videos the PM shared with netizens highlighting the pristine beauty of the island drew immense praise.

 

“For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling – what an exhilarating experience it was,” he wrote.