MTDC outsources Cox & Kings for Deccan Odyssey operations

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has appointed travel company Cox & Kings (CKL) as its outsourced partner to operate the luxury train Deccan Odyssey from October 2014. Under this partnership, CKL will manage on-board and off-board services, sales, marketing and operational activities.

This agreement is for a period of five years, which is likely to be extended for another five years, under which CKL will pay a lump sum of Rs 112 lakh to MTDC, that will increase every year, and a two per cent revenue share annually. "With a long-term perspective and to boost the luxury train business, we have selected Cox & Kings. We are making efforts to showcase maximum possible destinations in Maharashtra. The contract will be initially for five years and can be extended to 10 years," MTDC Managing Director Jagdish Patil said.

India has five luxury trains, which is the highest in the world, followed by China with two. Deccan Odyssey is one of the oldest luxury trains after Palace on Wheels. There are 10 itineraries for tourists to choose from, eight new itineraries and two older ones, most of which feature Maharashtra, he said. "It will also help in boosting inbound tourism to the state, which enjoys 20 per cent of the total foreign tourist arrivals in the country," Patil said.

The capacity of the train is 88 passengers with 21 coaches, out of which 12 are passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (10 passenger cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 presidential suite cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 conference car, 2 dinning cars, 2 generator cars with luggage store, 2 staff, spare car, 1 spa car, 1 bar car. The train has on-board facilities like TV, cable connection with central audio disc player, cell phones, channel music, foreign exchange facilities, among others that will appeal to the young generation. Referring to this partnership, CKL Director (Special Projects) Arup Sen said, "Deccan Odyssey will be affordable luxury.

We are incorporating wildlife sanctuaries for the first time in our itinerary. "We aim to provide once-in-a-lifetime experience through our range of short and long journeys giving travellers a chance to explore the country's diverse, exotic locales and discover timeless traditions."