JAIPUR: Tourism department is under process to hire a well-recognised consultant in the country to create a strategy and monitor the performance of
Palace On Wheels
as it plans to woo domestic tourists in the absence of foreign tourist inflows. The luxury train had to cancel all its journeys since the pandemic broke out in 2020.
Speaking to TOI, state tourism minister
Vishvendra Singh said there is no clarity as of now when foreign tourist movement would start.
“Nobody knows when foreign tourists will travel for leisure again.
Palace
On Wheel (POW) depended fully on them. That’s why if we wait for the foreign tourist movement to start, the running of the luxury train will not be possible in foreseeable future. That’s why we are shifting the strategy,” said Singh.
The minister said the train should not remain stranded just because the foreign tourists are not coming. “We have to open the train and its royal rides for domestic tourists as well. That’s why the whole strategy has to be recalibrated and only a professional agency can do it effectively and efficiently.”
He said foreigners pay in dollars, pound and
Euro
for journeys in the train but such charges are not affordable for domestic tourists. “We have to reduce the ticket prices so that the POW attracts domestic tourists.”
The minister said since the train has remained in disuse for close to two years, it needs a thorough refurbishment. “The look, furniture, inside ambience and several other aspects have to be refurbished,” added Singh.
The department is hopeful of running the train for domestic tourists from September onwards. However, the itinerary may change keeping in view the requirements of domestic tourists.
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