India's answer to Disneyland to come up in Bangalore

India’s answer to Disneyland!
Express Hotelier and Caterer

Bangalore, India’s IT capital, will soon boast of a leisure and entertainment complex which is being touted as ‘India’s answer to the US-based Disneyland’. Spread across 220 acres, this facility is slated to be the country’s ultimate leisure destination.

Bringing this project to reality are the promoters of Sammy’s Dreamland in Bangalore. Charting out an ambitious expansion plan, its promoters are looking at adding approximately 2,000 rooms to the leisure destination. Besides, considering the phenomenal growth experienced by the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) segment in the city, adding a convention centre to their facility is on the cards as well.

Speaking exclusively to EHC, Sammy Nanwani, chairman, Sammy’s Dreamland, said, “Having positioned Sammy’s Dreamland as an ultimate leisure destination in the city, we are now looking at adding approximately 2,000 rooms in various categories ranging from two-star to five-star deluxe accommodations. This development will be carried in phases and completed by 2007.”

Mr Nanwani plans to set up these hotels through joint ventures and is in the process of identifying the right business partners. “We haven’t shortlisted any one as yet as we are studying the various market players and identifying right partners will take some time,” confirmed Mr Nanwani.

Sammy’s Dreamland will also feature a convention centre catering to the MICE segment which has been growing by leaps and bounds in Bangalore. Sanjiv Makin, head-operations, Sammy’s Dreamland, said, “The MICE market is getting bigger day-by-day, so having a convention centre will help us tap this potential segment. The centre will be very huge and have a capacity to accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 people.”

The expansion will be funded through a proper mix of internal and external sources. Elucidated Makin, “We will be looking at partnerships, franchise agreements and sourcing from financial institutions will be considered as well. This apart, a considerable amount will be invested internally.”

Spread over 220 acres, Sammy’s Dreamland has accomplished the first phase of the total five set to be completed by 2007. Explains PI Pal, head-business development, “We have completed the first phase wherein we have 23 rides in all. In the later phase we plan to have about 40 plus rides. The coming phases will also see hotels, shopping malls, multiplexes etc. We have a big facility and we will put it to good use.”

Though situated about 23 kilometres from the main city, according to Makin, this factor will benefit them in the long run. He says, “The yet-to-build international airport at Devanahalli is close to us. The city is expanding and soon we will be very much within the city. There are plenty of educational institutes that have come and a lot of companies are setting base here. The spending capacity of people in Bangalore has increased drastically. Besides, another factor that will benefit us is the fact that there is no tourist destination within the city or even in the outskirts for that matter. Thus, Sammy’s Dreamland will fill that requirement.”