The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Rajasthan woos tourists from Tamil Nadu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 24, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rajasthan woos tourists from Tamil Nadu

M. Dinesh Varma

Launches `Heritage on Wheels' for economy class domestic tourists

CHENNAI: Rajasthan's tourism campaign has got a new set of wheels, literally, with the launch of `Heritage on Wheels', a rail tour customised for economy class domestic tourists, on the model of the State's expensive flagship, `Palace on Wheels'.

The three-night, four-day train tour on meter gauge tracks will feature a luxury trip through Jaipur, Bikaner, Shekhawati and the antelope sanctuary of Tal Chhapar at roughly half the cost of the ticket for the `Palace on Wheels'.

Tonga transport, camel rides and jeep safaris are part of the package designed to attract domestic tourists.

Rajasthan is looking south to boost the number of visitors and Chennai figures prominently in its plans as a regional hub to promote its assortment of forts, palaces, havelis and cattle fairs.

"The tourism industry has witnessed a boom in the last three years and the focus is now on consolidation and sustaining the momentum," said Rajasthan Minister of State for Tourism, Usha Punia.

On Saturday, a delegation led by the Minister launched a road show addressed at Chennai's travel trade industry. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, the corporate arm of the Tourism Department, will strengthen marketing offices in Chennai and Pondicherry. RTDC has promised a flexible response if the tour operators here sought some adjustments on a package.

Tourism package

The `Heritage on Wheels' train tourism package forms part of ambitious plans to make Rajasthan a year-round destination for high-end as well as budget tourists. With congestion choking New Delhi, Rajasthan is aspiring to be the gateway to India for foreign tourists through an upgradation of its airport infrastructure.

With its tourism policy focusing on maximising value for each guest, from the high-income visitor to the budget tourist, Rajasthan has also put in place an extensive network of heritage hotels and dormitories.

But, plans for future in no way compromise on its USP-train tourism. A second slightly more expensive version of `Palace on Wheels' was expected to roll out by September next year, said Rakesh Saini, managing director, RTDC.

Ajit Kumar Singh, Tourism Commissioner, said the `Pink City by Night' package, involving a bus ride through Jaipur capped by a cultural evening, represents a successful image makeover for a city once associated with dull evenings.

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