JOIN US The passenger train, under an ambitious project of Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), had chugged off amidst much fanfare last year, reporting 37 per cent passenger occupancy.
"We are going on an aggressive market strategy to capitalise on the domestic market, given the downturn", Anand Menon, Project Director Golden Chariot, said.
"While we have already tied-up with HDFC bank to offer loans spread over six to eight EMIs at zero per cent interest to those who wish to travel by this luxury train, we are also in talks with Jet Airways for a complete package for Karnataka tourists", he said.
HDFC bank has also started an e-mail campaign on the Golden Chariot for its corporates, Menon said.
"We are interested in tapping the domestic traveller not only because he understands the subtle nuances of tourism but also has the financial capacity to undertake a Royal Odyssey", he said.
Golden Chariot, which has a tariff of Rs 1.25 lakh per person for 7 nights/8 days, is now targeting "close to 50 per cent occupancy this year", Menon said.
The train with a multi-cuisine restaurant, plush gym, a spa and well-stocked bar, commences the sojourn from Bangalore every Monday and traverses through destinations including Kabini, Mysore and the world heritage site of Hampi.Since its launch on March 10, 2008, the train had 37 commercial runs. The train incurred an initial loss of Rs 2 crore mainly due to the operational cost of Rs 20 lakh per run paid to the Indian Railways, Menon said.
However, compared to trains like Deccan Odyssey in India and Euro Rail and Orient Express which have been operating from the past 25 years, the Golden Chariot "is still in its infancy", he said.
The train has been adjudged as "one of the top six trains of the world" by a leading global travel magazine "Condenast Traveller", which officials said was "definitely an achievement".
"In about two to three years time, we definitely are looking at substantially contributing to Karnataka tourism", Menon said.
To woo the foreign travellers, "Santhes" (village markets) are being planned at historic stops of Belur, Halebid and Mysore to introduce tourists to rural art and crafts on one platform.
"We are also looking at capturing the foreign and NRI segments by doing road shows in Australia, Paris and Russia. While the Russian road show has been finalised for September, modalities for road shows in Australia and Paris are still being worked out", Menon said.
The prestigious project, which has been showcased at renowned travel fairs in London, Berlin and Dubai, has generated "very encouraging enquiries by tour operators", he said.
The project involving a joint investment of close to Rs 50 crore both by the state and Central governments, has gone through "some teething problems initially", Menon admitted.
However, through regular monitoring of the feedback forms given to passengers, all out efforts are being made to sort out the problems", he said.
Denying speculation that the train will be suspended for sometime, he said, "Though it is difficult to run the train during monsoon because of the high level of maintenance involved, extra care is being taken and we will run the train on an average two weeks every month, provided we get the bookings".
On the passenger inflow, Menon said "from March till July 2008, it was more of domestic customers".
A peak was witnessed from September 2008 to April 2009 "when we have run back to back", he said.