KTDC, Railways to promote tourism
By James Paul | 22 Oct 2001
Kochi: The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Indian Railways have reached an agreement to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote tourism. This development is expected to boost Keralas tourism potential.
The intention behind the MoU is to go hand-in-hand with the Railways
for promoting tourism in Kerala on the lines of a similar
understanding between the Railways and the Rajasthan government.
The MoU, to be signed early next month in New Delhi, is
the outcome of a series of talks in this connection between
Union Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal and Tourism
Minister K V Thomas. Rajagopal said it would be a joint
venture project and the terms and conditions have already
been finalised.
Once signed, the Railways would participate in mobilising both
domestic and foreign tourists from different parts of the country
to Kerala; if kicked off, it will be the first such venture of the
Railways for Kerala.
To begin with, it would be just a single-plush coach attached to a
train that could originate either from Delhi or Mumbai. The
interior of the coach would be designed to present a typical
Kerala atmosphere. The food served in the coach would be Kerala
cuisine.
On entering Kerala, the coach will be detached at a designated
station, and from there, the KTDC will take over the tour. The
tourists can then travel and enjoy the state by road in KTDC
coaches. After completing the Kerala tour, they can return to the
rail coach that would again be attached to a train to take them
back.
Rajagopal
said as a second phase of the venture, the Railways is planning to
introduce ayurveda coaches. In such coaches, tourists can
experience some of the aspects of ayurveda, which includes
the traditional ayurveda massages.
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