IRCTC to develop rail based tourism packages

Kochi, Sep 11 (UNI) To give a major boost to the tourism sector, Indian Railway Catering&Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), the extended marketing arm of Indian Railways, is developing more tourism packages to promote rail-based tourism in the country.

Talking to mediapersons here today, IRCTC Regional Manager J Vinayan said presently seven routes in the country were offering different packages and the response from the public had been very encouraging.

He said more packages would be developed to connect the major tourist centres of the country through trains, which could be affordable for the common man.

Apart from this, village on wheels - Bharath Darshan and Pilgrim tourism - Buddhist Circuit were in operation, through which budget travellers can visit religious and cultural centres in the country, he said.

Mr Vinayan said the IRCTC was planning to set up a new chain of modern eateries and utility stalls and was on the process to professionalise and upgrade the catering services on trains and at railway stations across the country.

He said the corporation intends to establish modern accessory, sweet and ice cream stalls, food plazas and vending machines with the involvement of local entrepreneurs under Private Public Participation (PPP).

He said about 110 modern eateries would be set up at various railway stations in Kerala.

Another major venture of the IRCTC would be setting up of Budget Hotel chain through PPP, he added.

In Kerala, budget hotels would come up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Kollam.

UNI MA AJ KR BD1857