Having pioneered the Ecotel revolution in the country, Mr. Vithal V. Kamat is all set to transform the hospitality industry in the country with his future projects and is eyeing international markets.

The man behind the vision:
From a humble beginning as a small time restaurant owner to a Chairman and Managing Director, Vithal Kamat's journey has definitely been long and arduous. When thirty-five years back, a young lad barely in his teens joined the family restaurant business, not many would have predicted the phenomenal rise of this easy-going man. His rustic charm along with his street-smart acumen and a drive to succeed has made him achieve what he has set out to and is a guiding force.

Mr. Vithal V. Kamat

• He is a visiting faculty of various catering colleges and management institutes like NMIMS, Symbiosis etc.
• With a 4th degree black belt in Karate, Mr. Vithal V. Kamat is the President of the All India Karate Federation and also refereed many matches.
• He was felicitated as the best CEO and received a special Indian Express Editors Choice Award for promoting eco-tourism and supporting the healthy cause of environment.
• A book in Marathi was authored by him based on his entrepreneurial experiences called "Idli, Orchid Ani Mee", which is already in its 21st edition. The book has also been published in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu and is being translated in 16 different languages.

PROJECTS UNDER IMPLEMENTATION:-

Existing Hotels :

Refurbishing of The Orchid, Mumbai
The third phase of refurbishing of balance 58 guest rooms and suites in the Company’s flagship hotel “The Orchid” at Mumbai has been completed.

Fort Jadhav Gadh, Pune
The Company has added swimming pool, spa, open air restaurant and 12 tent rooms to Fort Jadhav Gadh, a Gadh Heritage Hotel at Saswad, Pune. 

Upgrading of “VITS” Nagpur
Simultaneously, the Company has refurbished the first two floors of its leased hotel property Hotel Sunny International at Nagpur and upgraded it to business class hotel, namely, VITS. There are plans to refurbish the third and fourth floors rooms during the coming year.

Refurbishing of Kamats Hotel Sidharth, Nashik
The Company is adding two conference rooms to the existing hotel property at Nashik. This will result in increase in the hotel revenues.

Expansion Projects:

“The Orchid Expansion” Mumbai
The construction work of Orchid Expansion Hotel Project at Mumbai, addition of 128 hotel rooms to the Company’s existing five star Ecotel Hotel “The Orchid” has started in October, 2008 at an estimated cost of Rs.136 Crores, This project is likely to be fully completed by August 2010.

“VITS” Bhubaneshwar
The Company has acquired an existing hotel with 80 rooms and facilities at Bhubaneshwar, Orissa State. Currently this property is under refurbishing and will be operational by November end, 2009.

Long Term Agreements with OTDC
The Company has signed two lease agreements with Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) during the year, on completion of successful bidding process and took possession of Mahodadhi Niwas at Puri and Eco Resort at Ramchandi, near Sun Temple at Konark. The project work is in progress and likely to be completed soon.

Lease Agreement for Palace at Parikud, Orissa
The Company has also acquired, on long term lease basis, Parikud Palace in Orissa for eco- tourism and environmental study for Chilika Lake. 

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
The Company has entered into management contracts and arrangements for providing technical consultancy. The new contracts includes

Lotus Lakeview Resort, Udaipur 80 rooms
Lotus Beachside Resort, Karwar Karnataka, 60 rooms
VITS- Luxury Business Hotel, NCR Delhi, 150 rooms

JOINT VENTURE/SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
The Company increased its stake in BW Highway Star Pvt. Ltd. from 17% to 75% by acquiring equity shares from other members/shareholders.

As a result of increase in the stake of the Company, BW Highway Star Pvt. Ltd., has become a subsidiary of the Company.

OTHER PROPERTIES
The Company is holding immovable properties at Baddi, Raipur, Nagpur, Coimbatore,  Kottayam-Kerala and Amravati for the purpose of developing hotels and restaurants at the appropriate time in view of great potential  for tourism in the coming years. These hotel projects will be taken up at the appropriate time.