Rajasthan’s Luxury trains undergo makeover

Rajasthan will spend over Rs.1.47 crores on refurbishing two luxury trains – the Palace on Wheels and the Rajasthan Royal on Wheels – this year, a tourism official said.

The Palace on Wheels, a joint venture of Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) is in for major refurbishment at an investment of Rs.1 crore, RTDC chairman Randeep Dhankar told IANS.

RTDC will also give another world-famous luxury train, the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a makeover at an investment of Rs.47 lakh, in a bid to deliver a richer, royally enchanting experience to each guest, said Dhankar.

“Based on the feedback of guests, we have undertaken redecoration of the Palace on Wheels,” he said.
“The luxury tourist train will sport a new heritage look,” said Dhankar.

“We are undertaking modernisation of even minor things, including water purifiers in washrooms and other modern conveniences like superior communication and entertainment.”
“Even the dining car, the bar and the lounge will take on a wonderful new look.”
“The spa and health club will also receive major upgrades. We are working on plans to introduce more and more facilities to please our guests,” he said.

The Palace on Wheels tour covers Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur.
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels takes guests from Delhi to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Varanasi and the Taj Mahal.

“On quite a few occasions the Palace on Wheels has hosted richly royal weddings and for people who plan to wed the way maharajas did, we will be offering more once the train undergoes transformation,” the official said.

New carpets, tapestry, curtains, replacement of furniture and up-gradation of toilets in both the trains are also being taken up, he added.

He said the wooden floors would have richly luxurious carpets to minimise noise.

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/08/13/210–RAjasthan-s-Luxury-trains-undergo-makeover-.html

Wedding on Wheels! Get hitched for Rs.2 crore while on the move.

So you’ve decided to get hitched. How far will you go to have that bespoke experience?

If money is no object, one can go location hunting for the nuptials from historic forts and palaces, chateaux with vineyards to beach getaways and of late, scenic vista overlooking the Dal Lake in Kashmir.

How about doing it in style in the lap of luxury on board a running train? Yes, you read that right – a train .

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), already a hit overseas for selling the state as a hot destination for weddings in forts and havelis, plans to use its two luxury trains – Palace on Wheels and Rajasthan Royals on Wheels – for weddings from next year.

And for the jet set bored of attending intercontinental weddings, the trains come with an “unforgettable on-board menu”, the RTDC claimed.

The week-long stay on the train promises a luxurious feel.For a similar experience, you’ll end up spending Rs.10 crore to Rs.30 crore for a three-four day affair at a palace in Rajasthan or any other happening address. But for a fraction of the cost, you can entertain a train-full of guests in the lap of luxury over a week.

“An all-inclusive seven-day extravaganza on board will cost between Rs.2 crore and Rs.2.5 crore for a 100-odd guest list,” RTDC chairman Randeep Dhankar said. “The financial plan and itinerary are being worked out to sell it for bookings from next year.”

And in these times of recession, you get a discount as well – for every 108-seat (full capacity) Palace on Wheels you book, the wedding party will be paying for only 95 guests – a discount of nearly 17 per cent!”Tickets for the entire train will work out to Rs.1.85 crore. With all services availed, the expenses won’t go beyond Rs.2.5 crore,” RTDC general manager Pramod Sharma said.

For Rajasthan Royals on Wheels, one can hire the train for under Rs.1.5 crore as it seats only 82 people. “Other expenses will run up to around Rs.20-30 lakh and keep the budget under Rs.1.75 crore,” Dhankar said.

Passengers wait to get on the Palace on Wheels, which is also popular among foreigners. From a grand welcome for the guests to having a priest on board to a honeymoon suite and arranging for sangeet, not to mention cocktails and lavish buffets every evening through the week, the RTDC arranges everything.

It would even pamper the newly-weds with “separate cars and privacy” while travelling during the week-long trip, Dhankar said.

“It’s ironical that the two trains are identified more with the foreigners and have not yet targeted Indian travellers,” he said.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wedding-on-wheels-rtdc-to-use-luxury-trains-for-weddings/1/225614.html

Hollywood actors can marry on wheels in Rajasthan

New Delhi: Hollywood actors who throng to Rajasthan to marry or honeymoon can now do it in style. They can charter two popular luxury trains — the Palace on Wheels or the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) is pitching the marriageon- wheels proposal to Hollywood as tourists dwindle amid the downturn.

These trains that have redefined luxury with its plush interiors and superior services can be booked for Rs 70 lakh by actors planning to marry onboard. They can also avail discounts of up to Rs 10 lakh, if they book an entire train.

The Rajasthan government has asked travel and tour operators to sell the idea to Hollywood holidaymakers. “The trip can be extended to Mumbai and Ahmedabad, if the customer desires,” Dr Manjit Singh, RTDC’s chief managing director, said.

The idea is especially being pitched to Hollywood actors, who have made a beeline for Rajasthan in recent times to holiday or honeymoon.

Liz Hurley tied the knot with Arun Nayyar and US hotelier Vikram Chatwal with Priya Sachdev in recent high-profile marriages in Rajasthan.

Hollywood actors Michael Douglas, Nicole Kidman, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts also flew into the desert state to holiday in trips that attracted wide- spread publicity.

In the coming season, the two luxury trains will run for 10 months, or from August to May, two months more over the last season when the trains ran from September to April.

The Palace on Wheels is fully booked till 2010. But the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, introduced recently, has not been able to attract tourists, due to the recession. “ We are hopeful, the bookings will pick up in the next season,” Singh said, adding spa, wifi, business centre and a library will be introduced.

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=17625