Coimbatore being an industrially developed city next to Chennai has immense potential for growth of tourism sector, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Sunday while inaugurating Hotel Le Meridien Coimbatore through teleconferencing. Mr. Karunanidhi expressed regrets for not being able to come to Coimbatore for the inauguration as scheduled owing to “certain unfortunate incidents and ill-health”.
The Chief Minister said Coimbatore's industrial sector was on a growth trajectory next to Chennai, and the hotel would attract tourist and business visitors because of the salubrious climate.
The five-star hotel was constructed at a cost of Rs. 200 crore. Appu Hotels had constructed Le Royal Meridien in Chennai and based on its growth it had now constructed the Le Meridien Coimbatore.
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The PGP Group provided direct employment to 3,000 workers and indirect employment to 9,000 families through its sugar, construction and educational institutions.
Union Minister for Shipping G.K. Vasan said Coimbatore was one of the important industrial cities of South India. It had several colleges, textile units and industries. The hotel would cater for business and tourists and educationists visiting the city. The facility would help growth of the city. Senior Vice-President Development (Asia Pacific) of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Singapore, Matthew Fry, said this was the ninth Le Meridien hotel in the country.
Don Elliot, Regional Vice-President-India, Bangladesh and Maldives, of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, said Coimbatore was the second largest and fastest developing cities in the State.
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The hotel had about 250 rooms with latest technology and 27,000 sq.ft of meeting space. Chairman of Appu Hotels Palani G. Periasamy said Coimbatore had the potential to excel and grow further. It was becoming a vibrant city.
Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Minister for Tourism and Registration N. Suresh Rajan, Chairman of Sakthi Group N. Mahalingam, lyricist Vairamuthu, Actor Sathyaraj, Chairman of Federation of Indian Export Organisations A. Sakthivel, Chairperson of Confederation of Indian Industry (Southern Region) Nandhini Rangaswami, and Perur Adheenam Santhalinga Ramaswamy Adigalar were also present.