One of Israel’s leading hotel chains is preparing to open its first overseas facility in Bengaluru, India, the Economic Times reported Wednesday.

“The construction of the 230-rooms hotel is underway and we hope to inaugurate it in about 10-12 months,” said Raffi Sadeh, the CEO of Dan Hotels. “Bengaluru offers us with a good potential for business given the presence of several Israeli hi-tech companies. We would also explore opportunities in other Indian cities after starting our operations in Bangalore.”

The facilities in Bengaluru are reported to be “top-tier” and will be the first hotel operated by Dan outside of Israel. The chain, however, does maintain an office in New York.

“We have been extended every possible cooperation from the Indian government and local administration in building the facility and we are excited about moving into India,” said Gidi Federman, who is in charge of the construction.

The Indian embassy in Israel and Dan Hotels organized Indian Culinary Week featuring one of the nation’s top celebrity chefs, Sanjeev Kapoor, this week. The three day program is being hosted at Dan’s King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where chef David Bitton will work with Kapoor.

“There is a great affinity among Israelis for India and of course Indians also reciprocate in the same way,” said Kapoor.

Indian Ambassador Pavan Kapoor said that such cultural interaction “is a key element in broadening relationship and that is where the role of Indian food, often referred to in India as part of Indias soft power, is playing a role.”

Sadeh, the CEO of Dan Hotels, expressed hope that his chain’s chefs could “learn something about Indian food this week and I hope we can sometime show Indian food in our buffet for guests.”

[Photo: Dr. Avishai Teicher / WikiCommons ]