Title - IRCTC spreads its wings, offers overseas tour packages

MUMBAI: Buoyed by the response to its first overseas package, Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning a Mumbai-Dubai tourism package in September. It has also started working out tour packages to other destinations in south-east Asia and Europe during Diwali vacations.

IRCTC's first overseas package "Dazzling Dubai" from Bhopal, priced at Rs 44,270 per person, will begin on August 21. The five days/ six nights package includes sight-seeing, accommodation, dinner, breakfast, AC-II tier journey from Bhopal to Mumbai and back to Bhopal and air travel by Jet Airways.
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Rahul Himalian, additional general manager, western zone (tourism), IRCTC, said, "The three nights/four days Karizmatic Dubai package will be open for 42 tourists from Mumbai in September. The tariff is yet to be finalized but it will be approximately Rs 37,000 per person. The tour may commence on September 27."

"The Karizmatic Dubai package will include economy class travel by Jet Airways and sight-seeing. The sight-seeing, arranged in AC coaches with push-back seats, includes Dubai city tour, desert safari with barbeque dinner and belly dancing show, dhow cruise with exclusive diner and a visit to Mall of Emirates. Tourists will be taken to the snow park and Burj Khalifa-world's tallest building. They will have to pay the entrance fees in case they want to visit the two places," said Himalian.

He further said, "Being a public sector, our aim is not profiteering. Unlike private tour operators, who compromise on quality to maximize profit, our package is crafted to cover all major attractions of Dubai. Tourists can enjoy the trip at leisure and in comfort."

IRCTC is yet to finalize accommodation for tourists in Dubai. Himalian said, "We will try to provide accommodation in Fortune Grand Apartment or some other hotel of similar class. The package also includes three breakfasts and dinners."

IRCTC is likely to roll out overseas packages for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and destinations in Europe, he said.

After being divested of catering responsibility in railways, the IRCTC has been focusing on promoting tourism packages, which include city tours, domestic packages-including holiday destinations, besides religious trips to Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Haridwar, etc. It has also ventured into online booking of airline tickets., besides setting up catering-related units in areas not connected with railways.
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