ITDC launches international tourism package

Kochi, Nov 30 (UNI) India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is launching its first international tourism package called 'New Year Hungama' to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand next month.

Addressing a press conference here, ITDC Senior Manager A N N Samrat said the package was being launched in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Usha Tourism.

Two economy tour packages for 250 people each would leave from Hyderabad on December 27 and 28.

The six-night and seven-day package would cover some popular tourist spots in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The package would cost Rs 53,000 per person, he said.

This was for the first time that the ITDC was marketing an international tourism package programme, combining the brand value of the ITDC with the resources of private player, he added.

Usha Tourism Chief Operating Officer D Sanjeeva Reddy said a 250-seater 767 Boeing, based in the US, would be used for the tour.

An inbound tour package for NRIs would also be combined with the trip as the plane returning on December 27 would bring non-resident Indian passengers on a tour to Andhra Pradesh.

Mr D Nagarjuna Sarma of Imprint Tours and Travels said the 'New Year Hungama' package had evoked a good response and several group bookings had already been done.

Enquiries were coming even from places like Chattisgarh for the chartered tour, which he claimed was much cheaper than other tour packages.

Mr Samrat said the ITDC was also marketing customised family helicopter chartered flights operated by Usha Tourism from Hyderabad.

''These days, there is growing demand for chartered flights, especially during the wedding season,'' Mr Reddy said.

The company was also planning to start a children's package tour next year which would serve as a cultural exchange programme, he added.

UNI