The Taj reopened its Tower Wing, with 286 rooms. "We dedicate our reopening to the city of Mumbai as affirmation of the values of courage, resilience and dignity," said Raymond Bickson, managing director and CEO of the Indian Hotels Co. Ltd., in a statement.
However, the main portion of the Taj will stay dark, and will reportedly take more than a year to repair. Also, the main portion of the Oberoi is also dark and being reconstructed; management was able to open 100 rooms at its Trident portion of the Oberoi.
Much stricter security measures are now in place, such as guest bag searches, metal detectors and armed guards. "Enhanced security will be in place to ensure the safety and comfort of guests and staff," according to a statement on the Oberoi Web site. "The local law enforcement agencies have also been requested to extend all assistance." However, regardless of the new airport-like restrictions and intrusiveness thrust on guests, developers have said they will not stop building in global hot-spots.
Both hotels held parties for returning guests. Also, both locations have also formed public funds to help victims of such things as attacks and natural disasters at the properties. For example, the "Taj Public Service Welfare Trust" will be operated by a Board of Trustees that include ownership. The objective of the trust is to "provide immediate relief to all victims of the recent attack, including to the families of those who were killed…This trust will continue to discharge its mandate in the coming years, specifically covering relief to victims of sudden acts of violence, natural disasters, and other tragic events."
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