Travel as you like with IRCTC's new scheme

Kolkata: Want a short and exclusive vacation with your family during the Pujas? You can opt for the 'Jyamon Khushi Beran' scheme from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Eastern Zone. The Indian railways subsidiary that has been arranging tours to major destinations across the country for large groups for several years now, has decided to foray into the business of tailor-made short trips for fewer people.
IRCTC (east) group general manager Debashis Chandra said, "Our normal tours are arranged for groups of 25-30 people and last for at least 6-7 days. Nowadays, there are many couples who want 2-3 day outings with their children to destinations that are not run of the mill. We want to target such people. For instance, families may want to visit Manas in Assam or Gopalpur-Bhittarkanika in Odisha. We will arrange everything, from their travel by air or rail to accommodation and sightseeing. Our plan is to go in for the 'wish marketing' concept instead of selling tours planned by us."
All one needs to do to schedule their dream trip is to call up IRCTC or send a mail. Executives will call back to find out what the requirements are. IRCTC will then take 7-10 days to work out details and give various options to the travellers .
"Our aim is to exploit the immense potential that the eastern sector has. People now want to travel to the northeastern states. We also want to tap the adventure tourism market. We are in plans to arrange for trekkers' huts and forest bungalows. The monsoons are a very good time to travel for those who want small trips, particularly to forests that remain open. At this time, accommodation is normally cheaper than the normal tourist seasons," added Chandra.
Discussing the future plans of IRTC, Chandra said, "We shall be participating in a tourism fair in Kolkata in the first week of July where the 'Jyamon Khushi Beran' scheme will be announced. "
According to Chandra, IRCTC's foreign tours - particularly to destinations like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia - are extremely popular. "There are also plans to foray into the field of medical tourism. We will tie-up with several city hospitals and arrange for the travel, stay and treatment for outstation patients, particularly from the northeastern states," he said.
Kolkata: Want an exclusive vacation with your family away from the madding crowds during the Pujas? You can opt for the 'Jyamon Khushi Beran' scheme from Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Eastern Zone. The Indian Railways subsidiary that has been arranging tours to major destinations across the country for large groups for several years now, is now foraying into the business of tailor-made trips for fewer people.
"Our normal tours are for groups of 25-30 people and last for at least 6-7 days. Nowadays, there are many couples who want 2-3 day outings with their children to destinations that are not run of the mill. We want to target such people. For instance, families may want to visit Manas in Assam or Gopalpur-Bhittarkanika in Odisha. We will arrange everything, from their travel by air or rail to accomodation and sightseeing. Our plan is to go in for the 'wish marketing' concept instead of selling tours planned by us," said Debashis Chandra, group general manager, IRCTC, East.
All prospective travelers have to do is call up IRCTC or send a mail. Executives will call back to find out what the requirements are. The organisation will then take 7-10 days to work out details and give various options to the travelers to choose from.
"Our aim is to exploit the immense potential that the eastern sector has. People are now wanting to travel to the northeastern states. Many want to explore Assam and Meghalaya. We also want to tap the adventure tourism market. We plan to arrange for trekkers' huts and forest bungalows. The monsoons are a very good time to travel for those who wan't small trips, particularly to forests that remain open. At this time, accomodation is normally cheaper than the normal tourist seasons. We shall be participating in a tourism fair in Kolkata in the first week of July where the scheme will be announced. Our theme will be to arrange tours for groups that have between 1 and 1,000 people. If 1,000 people wish to travel, we can get entire trains booked for them," Chandra said.
According to him, IRCTC's foreign tours - particularly to destinations like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia - are extremely popular. There are also plans to foray into the field of medical tourism. For this, IRCTC will tie-up with several city hospitals and arrange for the travel, stay and treatment for outstation patients, particularly from the northeastern states.