DTPC launches guided bus tours

KOCHI: The district tourism promotion council (DTPC) will launch its first seat-in coach (SIC) bus tour, a daily conducted programme from Wednesday in Kochi.
The programme, which will begin with a bunch of children from orphanages touring the city, will be inaugurated by district collector K Muhammad Y Safirullah at Durbar Hall Ground on Wednesday.
“The conducted tour will be replete with facilities such as full air-conditioned, push-back seated buses, guide assistance, WiFi connectivity and non-alcoholic beverage services.Packages, including minicity tours and broader itinerary comprising nearby tourist destinations like Athirappilly, Munnar and Alappuzha will also be conducted by the SIC-based tour agency,” said Renish PR, DTPC executive member.
The operations, which will begin with two buses in the initial stage will cover important sites such as Durbar Hall Gallery, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kerala History Museum, Hill Palace, Kerala Folklore Museum, Mattancherry Palace, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Fort Kochi and Vallarpadam Church.
“For conducting a more extensive 3 to 4 day of package for tourists, we are planning to introduce buses with in-built toilet systems, which could further ease the travel experience and even avoid the need for a stopover hotel and restaurant rooms for the travellers,” said Delvin Davis, managing partner of the agency authorized by DTPC.
Apart from city packages, the SIC tours will be conducting trips to Munnar, covering major waterfalls and dams in the area. Alappuzha-Fort Kochi circuit would cover Alleppey Coir Factory and Kochi-Athirappilly-Peringalkuthu circuit will take the tourists through waterfalls, dams and Thumboormuzhi gardens.
“Guides, who are knowledgeable in the history and culture of areas covered during the tour, will aid the tourists to gather an insightful experience than just sightseeing. All such services, including the entry tickets to museums and lunch expenses are included in the nominal prices at which the package is offered,” Davis said.