Ayurveda Takes a Leap of Luxury
The Leela is first ever to offer deluxe Ayurveda treatments

Kovalam, Kerala, 25th June 2007: At the press luncheon held today at the Leela Kovalam, Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair, Chairman, The Leela Group, announced its entry into the emerging US market segment of "Medical Value Travel" with its authentic ayurveda offerings. Kerala after all is the birthplace of Ayurveda. A life science, more than 5,000 years old.

Current medical research in the US has shown that hypertension, diabetes and cardiac ailments are rapidly increasing in today's high pressured corporate world. Contributing factors to these diseases include faulty eating habits, smoking and sedentary lifestyles. Ayurvedic remedies are non-invasive solutions to these widespread illnesses.

Given the prevalent scenario in the United States, The Leela sees tremendous potential in driving ayurveda as the most cost effective and beneficial natural solution. Capt. Nair strongly believes that a contemporary and modern setting that meets world class standards of comfort and convenience is the need of the hour for Indian ayurveda.

"To address this concern, we have two deluxe ayurvedic spas in Kovalam and Goa that can cater to the illnesses of modern times with the remedies of ancient India," he stated. To cite an example, a person diagnosed with hypertension in the U.S., would traditionally incur medical expenses to the tune of three times what it would have cost if the person would fly to India, stay in a five star luxury resort in breathtaking surroundings and have a ten day ayurvedic program designed specifically for him by the resident doctor. In addition, the guest would return rejuvenated with the wonderful experience of a holiday in India and yet saved thousands of dollars.

The Leela is aggressively perusing the U.S. market and has joined force with Dr. Gopinathan, a prominent neurologist at NYU Medical Center in New York City, one of the highest rated medical institutions in the U.S. He said, "Ayurveda is an extremely viable treatment modality for the frenetic lifestyle of today." Having grown up in Kerala, the birthplace of ayurveda, Dr. Gopinathan is a strong advocate of its healing and rejuvenating remedies.

To keep informed and understand the core needs of Americans, The Leela has engaged the services of Lorraine Abelow Public Relations, a communications veteran of 25 years in the fields of both hospitality and hospitals. "With yoga and meditation being a rage all across America, ayurveda seems only a natural extension."

Capt. Nair concludes: "We are blazing a trail as the first five star hotel group in the world to offer ayurveda in a contemporary deluxe setting. I am sure the Americans will welcome our focused initiatives in this direction.

Warm regards,
Mithu Basu
Group Head - Corporate Communications - The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
Tel. (91-22) 6691 1052, Mobile : (0) 98 204 14732,
E-mail : mithu.basu@theleela.com