Varghese Kurian: The Visionary Enterpreneur

VKL Gathering, across the Bay nations and India, with Bahrain as its Head Quarters. Cooperation with 'Stay Well Property,' a global Chain of Lodgings, is a stupendous jump in the development of VKL bunch. Relaxation Hotel, Kochi - the second undertaking of 'Stay well Possessions' in South India, is a notoriety adventure by VKL bunch.

It is our responsibility and a major challenge to ensure a delightful experience for them,” says Varghese Kurian, an entrepreneur who has built his empire, VKL Group, across the Gulf countries and India, with Bahrain as its Head Quarters. Collaboration with ‘Stay Well Holdings,’ an international Chain of Hotels, is a grand leap in the growth of VKL group.

Leisure Inn, Kochi - the second project of ‘Stay well Holdings’ in South India, is a prestige venture by VKL group. Varghese Kurian’s successful break into the hotel industry was with Dream Hotel at Kochi, today popularly known as Radisson Blu. He believes that luxurious and modern hotels are imperative for the growth of tourism which in turn will accelerate the growth of the country.

“Kerala has many unexplored destinations and one reason why they go unnoticed is we don’t have good hotels and places which provide essential facilities,” he says. VKL group keeps on expanding its horizons and its latest projects are also in attractive locations. One is adjacent to Trivandrum Technopark with 180 rooms and the other project is close to Punnamada lake at Alappuzha.

Both these colossal projects are expected to be accomplished within two years. A township at Kottayam is also being planned on a large tract of land VKL group has acquired from Tecil Chemicals. The project comprises schools, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, and leisure areas among numerous other facilities. VKL has started working on this mammoth project which is expected to boost the commercial landscape of Kottayam.

Kurian is passionate about experimenting with innovative ideas in the tourism industry. VKL had also invested in the ambitious seaplane venture earlier, which unfortunately got caught in bureaucratic hurdles and was a setback to Kurian’s dreams. However, he is still hopeful about the enormous possibilities seaplane can bring to the tourism industry.

He believes that the diverse geography of Kerala offers the potential for such a project. The project is perhaps much ahead of times”, says the visionary. VKL groups’ chain of hotels is spread across many Gulf countries with 12 hotels to its credit. Recently VKL group has initiated a new project in Georgia too.

The success story of this industrialist began when he reached Bahrain as a Civil Engineer in the 80s. He worked in a construction company until 1992 when he started a construction and real estate company, christened VKL Al-Namal Group. Today this group has turned out to be the best in its field in Bahrain.

VKL Al-Namal Group hasn’t restricted its growth to construction and real estate alone but has spread itself into education, healthcare, oil and gas, trading, marine dredging, and other activities, providing employment to more than 5000 people. Kerala has many unexplored destinations and one reason why they go unnoticed is we don’t have good hotels and places which provide essential facilities

Varghese Kurian is not just a successful business magnate, but an embodiment of humanity who refuses to forget his homeland during testing times. Apart from this, VKL Group did not hesitate to extend its helping hand to flood-affected people in Kuttanadu by providing essential requirements like food and clothing.

His social service is not limited to CSR activities but extends to medical and financial support to the needy, monetary help for marriages of the poor, and other charity work, he does throughout the year. He is an advisor to the Tourism Board of the Sri Lankan Government, and director of Inkel, a public and private partnership initiative, which promotes investment and business in Kerala.

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