Draft Policy to promote tourism through railways open for feedback

The Ministry of Indian Railways has prepared a first-of-its-kind draft policy to promote tourism and has asked tour operators, citizens for their suggestions and feedback on the same till April 24. According to this draft, tourism will be one of the frontline activities with the railways and the scope will be increased by focusing on domestic and international tourists and by making value-addition to tourism products, especially designed for this segment. Products like luxury tourist trains, semi-luxury tourist trains, Buddhist Special train, Bharat Darshan trains, Astha Circuit trains, state tirth trains, flexi-package tourist trains, ordinary tourist trains, ordinary tourist coachs, dedicated tourist coaches, hill tourist trains, steam tourist trains, value-added tour package, and foreign tourist quota will be positioned for each segment of travel. The draft states that booking of specialized tourism products will be done online through the websites of IRCTC or State Tourism Corporations and the charging principle of tourist trains will be decided separately on case-to-case basis. IRCTC is expected to be positioned as a onestop shop for all the requirements of both domestic and international tourists.
Source: Indian Express