Toyota starts hospitality venture

Toyota Motor Corporation’s subsidiary has kicked off its hospitality venture in India, the first such project outside Japan. Toyota Enterprise India (TEP) has entered into a joint venture with the Bangalore-based Hyagreeva Hotels to offer hotel rooms in the latter’s property, The Chancery. TEP will take over two floors of the hotel and offer facilities tailored for the Japanese like cuisine, massage, spa and common bath. The operations will begin from January 2013. Kazuyuki Kawai, President, Toyota Enterprise Inc told Business Line that his company will not make any initial investments in the venture. It will only provide services such as HR, marketing and knowledge of Japanese culture. “Our aim is to start small and grow big. We need somebody's help to study the market and find the best way. Right now, we want to make our relationship with the Chancery a success. We will then decide what to do in the future,” Kawai said.