Adding one more attraction for Mumbai, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), in partnership with WB International Consultants and AB Hospitality, has announced the launch of a first of its kind dining floating hotel (floatel), which will be docked at Bandra under the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The floatel, named ‘AB Celestial’, will be open to public from mid-August. The project is targeted at foreign and domestic tourists as well as food and fun loving Mumbaikars.
‘AB Celestial’ is a 3-tier luxury dinning facility with a sky deck, two galleys, and will have two multi-cuisine restaurants, including a club lounge, equipped with a 24-hour coffee shop. The overall capacity is 660 guests distributed across the four tiers of the vessel.
The floatel, made and imported from the U.S. for an unspecified amount, will be docked at the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s jetty at Bandra, and will provide a 360-degree view of the city of Mumbai and the Sea Link.
Profit sharing arrangementThe entire investment for the project has been made by WB International and the floatel will be managed by AB Hospitality. The MTDC has a 10 per cent profit share arrangement, and will promote this project.
“The Floatel concept was conceived and spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Government with numerous government bodies involved to make this a reality and jewel in the crown of Maharashtra. Maharashtra receives the maximum number of foreign tourists in India besides many domestic affluent tourists. This Floatel will certainly become a huge attraction for the tourists.” Chhagan Bhujbal, Tourism Minister, Maharashtra, said while inaugurating the Floatel.
India already has several floatels in places like Kolkata, Goa, Kerala, but AB Celestial will be Mumbai’s first. Reportedly the State tourism department is planning to shortly have a five star 362 room floatel of the Gateway of India.
