The State-owned Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTCL) for special holiday trains to Goa from Delhi and Mumbai from December 30-January 1 (Tuesday to Thursday).
The first ‘Holiday Special’ train will arrive in Goa on Tuesday, December 30.
“This is a mega step towards co-operation between GTDC and IRCTC for holiday trains to Goa proposed in the New Year 2015,” says Goa’s Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar adding, “part of the agreement also includes marketing of packages of the GTDC by the IRCTC including of private hotels on its website”.
The MoU was signed on Monday after the GTDC Board accorded its approval to the joint venture project.
In addition, Goa is also working out a venture for additional trains for the year 2015 so that this becomes another mode of transport for tourists demanding more transport facilities to Goa, Mr. Parulekar said.
“The special trains to Goa between Tuesday to Thursday will have 756 berths which includes 560 non-air-conditioned berths and 200 air-conditioned berths,” said a spokesperson of GTDC on Wednesday.
“Both domestic and international tourists from Delhi and Mumbai can avail facilities of this train,” said Mr. Nilesh Cabral, chairman of GTDC and MLA from Curchorem.
According to the MoU, the areas of co-operation include development of joint tourism products, marketing of products and services of GTDC and IRCTC to their respective clients and beyond, opening and managing various catering and hospitality outlets, budget hotels, etc. and using the joint strength at railway and non-railway locations.
The MOU includes imparting service training to IRCTC staff by the HRD division of GTDC, training security staff for tourist trains, rendering IT Solutions to GTDC, development of lounges, ‘Meet and Greet’ services for tourists and offering event management services or Conference Management services.
