Karambir Singh Kang of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, Wins the Coveted ‘Virtuoso Hotelier of the Year 2009′ Award

MUMBAI, India -

- The Award Honours Karambir’s Commitment and Dedication Towards his Job

- Only Indian (Individual and Hotel) to Have Received an Honour at Virtuoso Awards This Year

The Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces is proud to announce that Karambir Singh Kang, General Manager, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai has been awarded the prestigious Virtuoso Hotelier of the Year Award, 2009 at the Virtuoso “Best of the Best” Hotel Awards held in Las Vegas recently during the Virtuoso’s 21st Annual Travel Mart Conference. Karambir was awarded this honour in admiration of his commitment and dedication towards his job and his role in making the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, one of the best hotels in the world. Karambir was the only Indian to have been nominated this year and his win brings pride to the industry as a whole.

Speaking about his win, Karambir Singh Kang, GM, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai said, “This is indeed a humbling experience for me. I am very happy to have been awarded this prestigious honour for a job that I am so passionate about. I am also very thankful to Taj for having given me this opportunity. This award is testament to our hotel’s commitment to customer satisfaction and I would like to applaud every staff member and employee whose relentless efforts have resulted in this award.”

Applauding Karambir’s success, Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces said, “This is a very exciting moment for the entire Taj family. We congratulate Karambir and take pride in his honour. Karambir’s contribution to Taj has been unparalleled; he has exhibited great passion, resolve and strength and has contributed immensely to the success of The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai.”

Having started his career at the Taj Hotels, Karambir has spent more then 17 years in the group, exemplifying dedication and enthusiasm towards his work. Customer engagement and providing superior guest satisfaction have been the cornerstones of his illustrious career. The practices he has had the foresight to employ within the hotel are reflective of his leadership and managerial skills that epitomize the ideal General Manager.

Karambir’s leadership was put to the test when the iconic hotel was devastated by a terrorist attack on 26 November, 2008. Despite the considerable damage to the property, the grief due to the loss of lives of members of the Taj family and the personal upheaval faced, Karambir Singh Kang stood a pillar of strength and ensured that the hotel was reopened in just 23 days.

Under his leadership, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower has won many awards and accolades such as Conde Nast Traveller - UK Reader’s Travel Awards 2008 For Best Overseas Business Hotel, USA Gold List 2009 For Best Places to Stay in the World. National Tourism Award - Atithi Devo Bhava: Pride of India for exemplary service going beyond the call of duty, Economic Times Special Corporate Citizen Award for its brave staff for putting service before self, for saving the lives of others at the risk of their own; Travel & Leisure 2009 - World’s best city hotels in Asia.

ABOUT THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE & TOWER, MUMBAI

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is today recognized as one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels. Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Mr. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the company opened its first hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai in 1903. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, completed its centenary year in 2003. It is renowned the world over as one of the legendary landmark hotels of the Orient. Overlooking the Gateway of India with a panoramic view of the bay, the hotel is situated minutes away from the central business districts of the city. For over a century it has set the benchmark for fine living in India with exquisite refinement, inventiveness and warmth it’s a perfect blend of unrivalled legendary richness and heritage coupled with state-of-the-art facilities.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 65 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East and South Africa. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury.

ABOUT VIRTUOSO (R)

Virtuoso(R) is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations.

VIRTUOSO LIFE editors, in collaboration with Virtuoso’s member travel advisors, selected nominees representing the pinnacle of service, design and luxury in the industry. The 10 award categories ranged from “architecture and design” to “most innovative guest experience.” Winners were selected above other nominees as they were regarded as the very best in their category demonstrating innovation, dedication, social conscience and even courage.

The other winners were Hotel of the Year: Park Hyatt Shanghai, Shanghai China, Most innovative Guest Experience Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula, Oman, Best Culinary Experience Rossillinis, Palazo Sasso, Ravello, Italy.

For further information, please contact

Tarini Mathur, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd at tarini.mathur@vccpl.com or +44(0)22-66568787

Source: Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

For further information, please contact: Tarini Mathur, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd at tarini.mathur at vccpl.com or +44(0)22-66568787