From Hampi ruins to Kerala’s backwaters. From Vishakhapatnam’s beaches to Tamil Nadu’s temples. The South India Tourism Council (SITCON), which has its head quarter’s in Hyderabad, will soon offer a bouquet of diverse destinations, showcasing the best of south India.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, M Balasubramanyam Reddy, Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh said the first package from SITCON could roll out in the next six months.“We want the tourist to look beyond the golden triangle in the north. By promoting the South as one unit, we can ensure a tourism circuit that covers all the features of the region including wildlife, heritage, spirituality and cuisine,” Reddy said.

Luxuries
The SITCON-promoted Southern Splendour, a luxury train covering the entire south, will be operational by year-end. At present, destinations in the four States and UT are being identified, which would then be assessed by the Railway Board. Planned on a budget of Rs 40 crore, the train will have 22 bogies designed with south Indian aesthetics. The cost of the packages is being worked out.

Southern Splendour will start from Hyderabad and after covering various destinations in the South — in seven-day and 10-day packages — will return to Hyderabad. Apart from availing complete packages, passengers can get in and out of the train at destinations en route.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will also partner in luxury cruises in Bay of Bengal, covering Vishakhapatnam, Andaman, Chennai and other southern destinations.  Reddy said, Karnataka was yet to identify its destinations.

APTDC will launch its online reservation facility for its hotels, in a month’s time. Claiming the top spot in domestic tourist arrivals and fifth in international arrivals, APTDC is promoting destinations like Srisailam, Manthralaya and Puttaparthi for tourists from Karnataka. Reddy said corporates and IT companies in Bangalore continued to form a major chunk of the APTDC clientele.Revenues from APTDC hospitality properties had increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 90 crore  over the past 8 years.

BEGIN WITH AP
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