WGH Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., the hospitality arm of the diversified World Group based at Odisha, recently hosted Mr. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industry, Government of Kerala, at the site of its upcoming five-star hotel project near Cochin International Airport. This visit underscored the significance of the luxury development, which was a highlight at the recent Kerala Global Investment Meet, aligning with the state’s vision for sustainable and experience-driven tourism.
In a significant announcement made during the visit, the World Group revealed plans for an integrated project that includes both the new luxury hotel and a world-class hospitality college. This ambitious venture, with a proposed investment of ₹250 crore, is projected to create 1,050 job opportunities for Kerala’s youth, equipping them with skills for global hospitality careers. The project, spanning 1.75 lakh square feet, will feature 120 state-of-the-art rooms, six premium food and beverage outlets, and modern conference facilities. Completion is anticipated within two and a half years.
The World Group established its presence in Kerala’s tourism and hospitality sector in 2012 with the acquisition of World Backwaters Alleppey. Now World Group Heritance (WGH) owns and operates distinctive properties across prominent destinations such as Alleppey, Munnar, and Thekkady in “God’s Own Country.” The group is now making bold strides with new developments planned for Kochi, Varkala, Trivandrum, and Ashtamudi—including an exclusive wellness resort. Each property is designed to international standards while being deeply rooted in Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.
During the site visit, Minister Rajeev was presented with the master plan and design philosophy for the WGH Kochi project, which is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2028. This luxury destination aims to set new benchmarks in hospitality by seamlessly combining modern infrastructure with authentic Kerala experiences.
Mr. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala, commented, “The Invest Kerala Global Summit is poised to transform the industrial and investment landscape of our state. We are delighted to announce that the Odisha-based World Group, which expressed keen interest during the summit, has now committed to investing ₹500 crore in Kerala’s hospitality sector over the next five years.”
He continued, “I have personally inspected and reviewed the Odisha-based WGH Hotels & Resorts’ upcoming five-star hotel project at Nedumbassery, Kochi, which was initially announced during the Invest Kerala Summit held at Kochi early this year. This initiative reflects the strong confidence global hospitality brands have in Kerala’s robust and investor-friendly environment. Kerala already holds the distinction of having the highest number of five-star hotels in the country, and the upcoming WGH project is set to further strengthen this position.”
Mr. J. Jayakrishnan, Director of World Group and WGH Hotels & Resorts, expressed his gratitude for the government’s unwavering support and its investment-friendly policies. “Kerala’s infrastructure development and progressive tourism policies are perfectly aligned with our vision. Our projects aim to promote responsible and sustainable tourism while providing guests with an immersive experience of Kerala’s unique lifestyle and traditions,” said Mr. Jayakrishnan. He further emphasized that WGH Hotels & Resorts remains committed to supporting Kerala’s journey toward becoming a global tourism hub, firmly rooted in the values of sustainability, cultural integrity, and community empowerment.
The World Group, with nearly four decades of entrepreneurial legacy that began in mining and has expanded into sectors such as DRI, retail, logistics, agriculture, and consulting, has invested INR 250 crores in Kerala’s hospitality sector over the past two years. The group has committed an additional INR 500 crores for upcoming ventures, which include the new resort projects, the world-class hospitality college in Kochi, and a chain of vegetarian restaurants across the state.
The proposed hospitality college is envisioned to nurture approximately 200 professionals annually, fostering local talent and elevating the industry’s global standards. The Varkala and Ashtamudi resorts are slated to open their doors to guests by 2027, positioning WGH as a key player in Kerala’s future tourism ecosystem.
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