PALACE ON WHEELS

Structure
Objectives Introduction Genesis of the Project Setting up the Project Project Performance The Package Promotion Organizational Set Up Let Us Sum Up Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises Appendices

24.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this Unit, you should be able to learn: how and why the idea of starting the Palace on Wheels emerged, how the project was initiated, the ways of promotion and organisation of this project, and finally the outcome of this project.

24.1 INTRODUCTION
Travelling forms an integral part of tourism and a tourist cannot think of travelling India without having an experience of journey by rail. Indian Railways (IR) connect major parts of the country with each other and provide the cheapest mode of travel. You have already, studied in Unit-8 (Block-3, TS-1) that how Railways play a crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism. Being aware of this importance of Railways the Railway authorities have come forward in the recent past with various innovative packages to promote tourism. The scheme of Palace on Wheels is one such tourism promotional project of Indian Railways. This is a joint venture of Indian Railways with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. This Unit gives you the details of the project, its planning and implementation along with the outcome of this project.

24.2 GENESIS OF THE PROJECT

I

Towards the end of the year 1980, BBC carried on their network a series called Great Railway Journeys of the World. The media coverage of the series later indicated that from this series the feature on the Indian Railways was very well received. The essence of the media reports was that there were few railways around the world that could match the sheer romance, size, variety of routes, attraction, and the variety of gauges etc. of the Indian Railways. Consequently many foreign tourists visiting India feel that they must experience the joy of travelling by train however brief it may be. Many of them are fascinated by the sight of now extinct small steam engines chugging up the hill in the mountainous areas and regret that they were unaware about this great Indian marvel before they left their country. This was taken note of by the Ministry of Railways in India and it contemplated introducing specific tourism projects for attracting foreign tourists-particularly from the UK. The idea was that depending upon the requirements of the UK tourist market and certain other countries, specific schemes covering such sectors of the IR which held great

~nal skills:

case studies-1 attraction for the market could be devised and marketed abroad. This would serve the plqose of earning precious foreign exchange for the country thereby increasing the market share of India in the international tourism market.

A note outlining the pilot project was sent by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) tc the Ministry of Commerce in January 1981 for consideration during the ensuing IndoBritish Economic Cooperation (IBEC) talks scheduled to be held in New Delhi between the Union Minister for Commerce, Government of India and the Minister of Trade, Govenunent of UK. During these talks, the project idea put forth by the Ministry of Railways also cropped up. While nothing concrete emerged during the talks on the project, it was agreed that the idea should be pursued further. Soon after the talks, the proposal after due consideration by the Uniqn Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of ~inande was forwarded to the Board of Trade of the UK Government for their comments on its business potential. The comments received from the Board of Trade were very positive. As a follow up on this, in May 1981, the then Union Board visited UK and held discussions Minister of Railways and the Chairmari. -way with the officials of the Indian High Commission in UK, Air India, India Tourist Office, Director of Export Market Development Division of Commonwealth Secretariat and leading travel agents in UK etc. at London. There was a general consensus in the meeting that a package tour on the lines the Indian Railways was considering would evoke a good response from the UK-origin murists.

Having had a favourable response from a cross-section of market feelus, &e Minlsrry of Railways in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Government of India started giving concrete shape to the project. The project concept was defined as-a hotel on wheels which is mobile in the night and is made stationary at a tourism centre in the day time so that the tourists can move around the tourism centre. Thus, the activities of travelling and staying could be merged. It was thought therefore that a series of packages could be introduced linking the important tourism cenms of India. The foremost to emerge in the series of these packages and the one that could be operationalized in the short run was later named as Palace on Wheels. It was noted that Rajasthan offered vast tourism potential as the state was dotted with forts, rich heritage and mymd scenic spots. It was therefore realized that a package along the lines of the defined concept could be' launched in Rajasthan. Since Rajasthan primarily had a network of metre gauge track

opur - Kota section falling on Delhi-Bombay trunk route), the special tourist train in Rajasthan had to be a metre-gauge train. Accordingly the coaches for the special train had to be identified. One idea that emerged was that the old coaches belonging to the erstwhile Maharajas and the Viceroys could be renovated and refurbished to serve as carriages in the tourist train. To complete the old world charm the train could be hauled by a steam engine and the tourists driven down the nostalgia lane. It also made business sense in that the required number of the existing carriages did not need to be pulled out of the fleet and remodelled and refurbished to serve as tourist train ik coaches. That would have incurred large expenditure as sunk cost with the r s of the project failing to click. This package was christened Palace on Wheels. The decision to introduce POW was taken in June 1981.

Palace on Wheels

SETTING UP THE PROJECT

The old royal carriages belonging to the Maharajahs and the princely states of Rajpuma and Gujarat were reinforced and refurbished with the expert assistance of an interior 'designer. This work was carried out at the Railway Coach Works at Ajmer. It was ensured that the interiors, most of which were frfty years or more of age were changed aslittle as possible so as to retain the original ambience of the heritage. (See Appendix-1 for a brief history of the coaches selected). Of course, modem gadgets like electric geysers in toilets and beds with modem foam cushions were installed for the comfort of the tourists. It was decided by the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Tourism, Government of India that since tourism was a state subject, it would need to involve the Rajasthan Government in the project. Accordingly, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) was also involved in the project. Under the agreement signed between the RTDC and the IR, it was decided that the RTDC would look after the reservation, promotion, housekeeping, catering on board, sight seeing, cultural programmes and boat, camel arid elephant rides at various destinations and all other ground arrangements. IR would be responsible for the operation of the train and the maintenance of the rolling stock.

I
I

It was decided that initially three itineraries - 7 days18 nighs, 4 days14 nighs and 2 days1 3 nights - would be offered. The project was announced in the parliament by the Union Minister for Railways on February 25, 1982 in his Railway budget presentation speech: The trial runs of the train had begun on 26th January 1982 and continued upto March 1982. In all five trial runs were made during the period. At the culmination of the trial runs, the, itineraries were reviewed and it was decided to fix the itinerary as 7 days18 nights. The project was set up to fulfil the following objectives: to promote tourism, to conserve and maintain the priceless heritage of very distinctive natur'e, i.e, the royal and viceregal coaches dating back to the turn of the last century, to attract attention to tourism in India with a unique tourism product which could become the talk of international tourism circles, and to earn precious foreign exchange for the country. Check Your Progress 1 1. What motivated the government to launch the. Palace on Wheels?

...........................................................................................................
2. List some of the objectives of 'this project.

3. Explain some salient features of this project.

24.4 PROJ ~ C T PERFORMANCE

In this Section we are providing you some data on the performance of the project which would help you to make an assessment of the project. 1. Occupancy: The particulars in respect. of occupancy since 1982-83 are given in Table-1 in percentage.
Table 1
Year

No. of tours
26 26 21 25 26 26 26 26 26 261-4 (April, 92) 26=3 (Sep, 92 + April, 93

No. of paid
passengers
1056 967 783 1102 1375 1747 2212 2282 1899 1001+105 1914+64, (Sep. 92 + April, 93)

Average - PC U- Y
41%^ 38% 38% 45% 59%0 75.1% 93.4% 95.06% 80.1% 76.1% 73.63%

1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93

In 1984-85 season five trips had to be cancelled due to disturbed conditions prevailing in India after the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
2. Foreign Exchange Earnings: The Foreign exchange earnings from the project since its commercial inception have been as described in Table-2.
Table 2 Year Foreign Exchange earned (in lakhs of Rupees)

Palace on Wheels

1992-93
(April, 92 t March, 93) o

652 6 1

3.

Net Earning: While RTDC made a net profit on its earnings from 1982-83 to 198687. IR had consistently incurred losses between 1982-83 and 1984-85 (the figures for 1985-86 and 1986-87 were not available). The Public Accounts Committee in its report submitted on 28th Apnl 1987 was critical about the financial performance of IR in Palace on Wheels project. In its view, it was tantamount to subsidizing the travel of affluent foreigners. Foreign travellers: Table-3 indicates the break-up of the foreign travellers on Palace on Wheels between 1982-83 and 1992-93.
Table 3

4.

COUIL~IY

82-83

83-84 84-85

85-86 86-87 ,87-88 88-89

89-90 90-91

91-92 .92-93

FRG
USA Japan Australia

1 5 73 83 25

14 278 38 37 8 5

47 184 1 5
-

62 325 17
-

133 453 22
-

227' 321 . 344 531 570 509 11 2

-

284

273 367 47

396 452 3 5
-

295 56
-

li
-

48
-

102 103

112 165

127 2-04

100 522

158 639

111

138 661

68

,'53 667

Others
Total

5 4

796

892

57 passengers in 1982-83, 49 in 83-84, 44 in 84-85, 54 in 85-86 and 176 in 86-87 were Indian travellers. These figures when added to the Total in Table-I11 would be the same as in able-I. The package attracted the tourists primarily from UK. Germany, USA, Japan and Australia.

THE PACKAGE
Like many other facets of tourism in India, the I i is a unique blend of history and the nn 20th century. It runs on metre gauge track and is hauled for the moat part of its journey by a steam engine. The space in the train is extremely limited and 5-star hotel like luxuries are not available. Each carriage has been renovated and refurbished with an eye on maintaining the original ambience. Bathrooms have running hot and cold water. The capacity of each carriage is either 6 or 8 berths in two-berther coupes. Thus, each coiu;; has 3 or 4 coupes. The train is not vestibuled resulting in clock services of a saloon captain and saloon attendant. They have consistently received accolades from the passengers for the quality of service and hospitality. Two dining cars serve Continental and Indian cuisine. One of the dining cars also serves as a discotheque after the evening meals are over. In addition, there is an airconditioned lounge car with a well-stocked bar and a small library consisting of about 200 books. The I i schedule includes appropriate halts nn well before the meal times so as to enable guests to go over to the bar or restaurant car.

Promotional S i l : Case Studies-1 kls

The train operates for six months between the months of Cktober and Match every year. It does 26 trips of eight days and seven nights, each leaving Delhi every Wednesday and retuning a week later having covered world famous destinations-Jaipur. Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bhmtpur, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra in that order. The itinerary and scheduled timings for events are in Appendix-2. A brief write-up on the destinations is presented in Appendix-3. The package is so planned that the day light hours are spent in sight-seein and visiung palace hotels for meals. At night when the passengers are asleep, they mE to the next destination. Thus. the passengers do not have $l to worry about booking into early morning flights, checking in at odd hours in the hotels and being pushed at the tourist points by the cab drivers, guides, curio shop owners, etc. Based on the responsibilities agreed to between the Indian Railways and the RTDC, the practice for price fixing has been that each of the parlners prepare their part of the tariff for the purpose of quoting the all-inclusive tariff. While I has fixed its share based on an R expert committee (Rail Tariff Enquiry Committee) recommendations in respect of special trains, tourist cars and saloons, RTDC used cost plus method for price fixing. From 198283, the total tariff has been increasing @I08 p.a.

24.6 PROMOTION
During the fist promotional season (i.e. 1981-82) and subsequent two commercial seasons (i.e. 1982-83 and 1983-84), promotion efforts were confined to the,UK market. Kaul Prever Harle & Simore (KPHS) of London were hired to do the initial promotion. Launch campaign-There was an advertising campaign in the form of 9 insertions in the leading daily and Sunday national newspapers. The first two insertions were released in December 1981. The objective was to inform the British public of the design of the package (see illustration). Simultaneously, Government of India Tourist Office at London was stocked with promotion brochures so that the people making inquiries following exposure to the advertisement could have greater information on the package. The following journalists of UK were invited to travel on Palace on Wheels. It was hoped that after they return, they would write their tr,?veloguein the newspapers they represented. 1. Mr. Brian Jackman of Sunday Times 2. Mr. John Ezard of The Guardian 3. Mr. Sue Arnold of The Observer
4. Mr. Lee Langley of Sunday Telegraph

5. Mr. K Westcott Jones of United Newspapers

In addition 30 sets of general press release were organised with photographs and were mailed out to important trade and consumer publications. Twenty four blowups were organized for display at: American Express credit card offices, India Tourist Office,
Air India offices, and

KPHS office. The objective of these blowups was to generate interest and enquiries form the public and tour operators. In order to respond to all possible inquiries regarding the package, full time Palace on Whzels Information service was established at 23, Ramillies Place, London (office of KPHS). About 8000 inquiries were handled by Palace on Wheels Information Service, Gradually, G, was promoted in more countries and many tour operators offered it in their packageatours. A lot of publicity is carried in the print mdia either through paid advertisements or in the form of write ups done by travel writers.'

The Palace-on-Wheels,which brings back to life the vintage splendours of the age of Maharajas, Viceioys and Governors-General r e thought had gone forever, is back on the track on October 1, in response to the enormous demand following its inaugural runs last January.
handicraft shop forelgn exchangc counter safe depos~t its own d~stincttbe post mark and postal serv#e and a sound system for announcements and music What morr t a n an! graclous maharaja !<an:?
JODHPUR - An aery lantas) i n exquisitel) carved sandstom. BHARATPUR - One of the world's most spectacular bird sanctuaries. AGRA - Renowned for the Taj Nahal, eternal testament l o human love. Plus visits to Palehpur Sikri froni Agra and to t h t Sam sand dunes from Jaisalmcr.

THE PACKAGE - ALL

IRCiUSlVE

THE TRAIN PURE MNlAGE A collection of

THE ENGINEPURE STEAM

This collection of ro)al s a l m 5 is hauled all the May b) a vintage steam englne exactl) as i t used t o be i n the days of the Raharajas

stately - saloons

The cost of this incredibly nostalgic package includes travelling o n the Palace.on-Wheels. full meals o n and off the train during the course o f the tour. the itinerary - including entrance and guide fees t o the monumenls etc.-camel, elephanl and boat r1de.5. sightseeing i n luxury buses. cultural entertainment at selected

CLRRDFT TWRS END M M 81 AH

For information on
resewat~ons/bookings/package tours

contactM C N C A N tXPRtSS TRAVEL DIVISION, 6 Haymarkel. London SU'IY 4K5

Telephone 01-930 4411

XLLDBIRD HOLIDAYS. 152 king Street. London W 6 OQI'

klephone 01.741 6041

wlncs UD..

impeccably restored FACILITIES - FIT POR to their former gllry.

Amonq these saloons are the Bikaner statr Coach, the oldest. built in 1898. The Maharaja of Navanagar Coach with its famous ornamental ceiling and Burma Teak side panels. The 6hatvnagar Statf Saloon - the x e n e of man) a royal marriage-complete with romantic verandah. The \'iceregal Coach - used by the agent for the Governor General for Rajasthanpure white and very regal The vintage flavour of each saloon is enhanced by its coat of a:ms. a brief history and an exclusive attendant resolendent i n period costuhc t o h o s l your needs.

RAHARAJAS

Wings House. Broxburne tierls fNlO 7HX klephone 0992 8 i t i l I G ~ A ~ 1041H ~ o 204) 281 1 Newcastlc 106321612141 Plancheste! (061 228) 1923 or conlac[ your k a l kai'el Agcnl

THE ITIFIERARRY -

Princely tours of Rajasthan & A g r TOUR 1 Three nights DelhiAgra-Jaipur-Delhi. TOUR 1 Seven nights. Delhi Jaipur-Udaipur-Jaisalmer. Jodhpur-Bharatpur-Agra-klhi DELHI - Old and neh historic capital of India. JAIPUR - Dazzling pink cit) of Rajasthan. UDAIPUR -Shimmering desert paradox-of lakes and palaces. JAISALNEU h'golden creation i n fulfillment o f a holy prophecy.

For the full story in colour wrltr to Palate-omwheelsInlormation k o i c e 23 Rarnillies Place London WI For general information on lnd~a contacl India Tourist Oflice 21 her Bond Street. London WI
IS,' 'UA?>., <,,I

Lv \l

IAw

'"%. v 1 , I..

lounge-cum obscr\.ation car with a bar children's carncr libraij 9a"-

Vintage India All The Way

RaUwey ~ackagt Tour

Udaipur
.While travelling on the Puluce on Wheels you will also visit romantic Uduipur - a gem in the valley, ringed by green hills and blessed with blue water lakes.

In sturk contrast to its battle scarred forts are its

mugniflcient palaces that seem to rise
two,-

out o fLake Pichola.

JOINTLY OPERATED BY INDIAN RAILWAYS & RAJASTHAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
FOR RESERVATION CONTACT

The Manager, PALACE ON WHEELS, Rajasthan Tourist Reception Cantre, Bikaner House, New Dslhi- 110012. ' Tsl :381884.383837, Tlu : 031-63142 RTDC-IN, Fax : 091 -01 1-382823 ' HEAD OFFICE : Manager (Accommodation 6 A ~ s e ~ a t i ~ n ) . Rabrthan Tourism Dewlopmdr~t Corpn. Ltd.. Swagatam Tourist Bungalow Campus. Near Railway StaUon. Jaipur-6. Tel : 60586,79252. Tlx : 0365-2479 RTDC IN. Fax : 0141-76245 Gram: ATITHi ' AHMEDABAD Tel : 453126-127 ' BOMBAY Tel : 2044162, ' CALCUTTATel : 279051

Promolional Skills: Caw Shrdies-1

24.7 ORGANIZATIONAL SET UP

Both I and RTDC have independent organisational set ups to fulfil their respective R responsibilities in operating the package. IR has tourism directorate under the supervision of Member (Traffic) of the Railway Board. Director, Tourism in coordination with the divisional officers of Western Railway and Northern Railway (the two geographic subdivisions of IR in whose jurisdictional areas the tourist points fall) performs the IR's share of responsibilities. During the running of the train, the following staff of IR travel in the train: Train Superintendent
I

1
Maintenance crew (for carriages, generating equipment, refrigeration, airconditioning etc.)

1
Driving crew

I
Wireless

I
Security operators personnel (belonging to Railway Protection Force)

RTDC has the following organization structure for the package: Managing Director

a
Manager. Central Reservation Manager (I) Manager (11)

General Manager

Deputy Manager
I

.Tour Escort

Assistant Manager Jr. Accountant Clerks Steno Saloon Captains (2) Saloon Attendants (15) Head Barman (12) Barman Bar Attendant MaitreDe-Hotels (2) Stewards (5) Utility Workers (6)
Dqmi

Chefs (2) Cooks

(4)

RTDC maintains a Visitor's Book which is k e p p n board during the trip. During the last leg of the journey (Bharatpur-New Delhi), the passengers are requested to express their feelings about the package. In order to obtain specific feedback on the various aspects of the package like the amenities prdvided on board, food and beverages (both on board and in hotels), service of train staff, guided tour &d reservation & booking experience, a structured feedback form called Guest Suggestion Form is administered on each passenger by the respective saloon captain. All the guest suggestions fonns are handed over by the saloon +captainsto the t a n manager. After the ~nclusion each trip. General Managerri of Palace on Wheels and the Managing director of RTDC examine the Visitor's Book and the guest suggesfion forms. These serve as important sources of information for improvements in the package. From 1994 season the Palace on Wheels has been converted from meter gauge to broad gauge and revised itenerary will be provided
soon.

Palace on Wheels

Check Your Progress 2

1. How was this project promoted?

2. What is the understanding between the Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in his project?

.......................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................

3. From the diven statistics give your comments on the performance of this project.

..........................................................................................................

24.8 LET US SUM UP

As mentioned in the introduction, there is an important linkage between the development of tourism and railways. The project of Palace on Wheels is the best example of this melationship. This Unit has shown you how did the idea of Palace on Wheels come. Spectacular variation of Indian Railways and its appeal among the people were skilfully used to attract the tourists. People's nostalgia, the urge for visiting the historical places and modem comforts were blended through this package tour by rail. This is an example for a tourism professional to learn how can one systematically use the available resources for the promotion of tourism. In a'similar way you should also think of various packages for attracting the tourists. Success of the Palace on Wheels has inspired the Railway Authorities to plan for more such package tours. Recently they have taken the decision to launch 9 more Palace on Wheels type trains in different parts of the country. The Railways have invited the private sector to manage some of these projects.

24.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS EXERCISES

Check Your Progress 1
1. See Sec. 24.2. 2. See Sec. 24.3.

3. See Sec. 24.3.

Promotional Skills: Case Studles-1

Check Your Progress 2

1. See Sec. 24.6.

2. See Sec. 24.5.

3. In the light of the performance of the Palace on Wheels in the last few years you have to make an assessment of this project in your own words. See Sec. 24.4.

Railway package tours

---

By Girja Shadcar Kaum

-

NEW DELHI, May 8 Shimmenng Sands, Epics in Stone, Bird Song Tour-these are no titles of new songs or names of e uisite restaurants opening in the &tpital. But these are the package tours offered by the Indian Railways to foreign and Indian tourists wanting to &swver the hidden secrets of our mystical country. Introduced recently on the Indian Railways chart, the package tours give the tourists an opportunity to plan their entire holiday well in advance. Besides they do not have to undergo the torture of running from pillar to post to get the hotel bookm s or worry about the food. All is $en care by the Indian A total of 38 packa t 1-5 save been omred b i the Ingan Railways in the Discover India series which has been developed in collaboration with the State Tourism Development Corporations. Elaborate brochures have been printed by the Railways in an attempt to give maximum information to the tourists regardin the particular package tour. Mr D. Chaturvedi, Executive Director (Passenger Amenities) Indian Railwa s, explained that the basic idea o?starting these package tours was to give the tourists maximum comfort. The brochures have been rinted keeping in mind the speciayneedsof the foreign tourists, he wid. Almost the entire wuntry has been covered in the package tours and special trains have been earmarked to adjust the tourists opting for the ackage tours. The wst of the pac&ge tours includes the return journey rail fare, accommodation in the State tourist development corporation hotels, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner. Besides the wst also includes conducted si t-seeing tours, transfers between t e railway stations and the hotels both on arrival and departure and of course the services of a trained guide. The wlourful brochures printed by the Indian Railwaj for the packa e tours tell about the itinerary and sko give ashort history of the tourist spot. There is a brief mention of the main attractions and also inform about the places from where the bookings can be done. The Indian Railways has also kept a rovision of providing up to six bertls in each of ?he class 72-hours before the departure of trains, in either direction on first w e first served basis for the tourists.

Pink Rhapsody,

. !

Accordmg to Mr Chaturved~ the concept of package tours is I+ very well on certain sectors but IS yet to pick up on some other sectors, The sectors which are doing very well are mostly in Raiasthan m d Gujarat which have traditionally been tourists' attraction areas. The foreign tourists wishing to travel in ~ n & a n get the boofings to the tourists spots they want to visit at least an year in advance with the help of General Sales Agents operatin in 13 wuntnes across the world. h e Indian Railways has appointed GSAs in countries like Australia, Malaysia, France, Japan, Thailand, Finland, Dubai, Mauritious, Germany, England, America, Canada and Bangladesh. The GSAs have been appinted in these countries keeping m mind the tourist traffic from these wuntries. They provide the locals wanting to visit India or the Indian settled there with the facilities like the IndRail asses or the point to point ticket. &e lad-Rail pass gives a tourist an o r r t u n i t y to travel by any train in In a as many times as he wants to within a particular time frame. The payment, however, has to be made m foreign currency only. According to Mr Chaturvedi, the GSAs also get the facility to get the booking done 365 days in advance in wmpanson to 45-days period given to the Indian here. Besides, a special forei n tourist quota has been providedin all the countries where the GSAs have been appointed. The mrdination is done wth the help of the International Tourist Bureau located on the first floor of the New Delhi Railway station building. The ackage tours which are being o L d by the Indian Railways are: RAIL, WEEKENDERS: Pilgrim's Proqess: Delhi-Jammu-Vaishno en-belhi; Mystical Experience: Madras-Tirupatl-Madras; In Buddha's Footsteps: Calcutta-GayaRajgir-Nalanda-Calcutta; Dandi March: Bombay-Ubharat-DandiBombay; Sabarmati Revisited: Bombay-Ahmedabad-Bombay ; Shrine and Sarovar: Delhi-AjmerDelhi; Mahabharat Revisited:

Across I l e Godavari: HyderabadVijayawada-Hyderabad; Medieval Cit Tour: Delhi-Gwalior-Orcha~ e h Wild Life Safari: Nagpur; Kanha-Na H*R.o%.PICMC: CalcuttaDiamond Harbour-Calcutta; Hill Queen: Chandigarh-ShimlaCh?ndigarh; Tem les & Tigers Trek: Nlkanth-Delhi; Kumaon Special: Delhi Yninital-Delhi: Scuwsrl BanWm-MysoreS lendour: L ~ h b i d - ~ a n ~ a l o Epio re; @ Stone: DeLhi-Jodh ur-Dew; Bud Son Tour: Delhi; dn.Fefi Mosques: DelbLucknow-Delhi; Four Gateways: Deu-Bho$ . DeU. Pink Rhap al - . sod : De I-Ja~pur Delhi; Green ~oirage Excursion: BombayMatheran-Bombay; The Quiet Retreat: Bombay-Lonavala-Bombay; Deccan Experin*: Bombay-PuneBombay; Mountain Mystique: Bangalore-Ooty-Bangalore; Emerald Waters: Bangalore-CbchinBangalore; Shimmerin Sands: Bangalore-Goa (vasco-dta-~ama)Bangalore; Mystical Paradise: Bangalore-Tipati-Bangalore; DcD r e a m x a ~ : Jodh UrJaisalmer-Jodhpur; D-ing Hyderabad-Bangaloreshin: M~sore-H~derabad; Southern Hyderabad-MadrasSafari: Hyderabad.

elh hi-&hikesh-chllaelh hi-8haratpurr

8.L-

f'

Delhi-Kurukshetra-Karnal-Delhi;

Silk Route: Madras-KanchipuramMadras; Peace March: CalcuttaShantiniketan-Calcutta; Rural Sojourn: Patna-Champaran-Patna; Rhino Walk: Calcutta-KazirangaCalcutta; Black Buck Bonanza: Madras-Point Calimere-Madras;TiTrail: Delhi-Alwar-SiriskaThe Ca ital Ex rience: Corbett Trail: Delhi-Bareillv-Delhi:

Kilhi; elh hi-~hmdi~arp- el hi;

APPENDIX-1
Historical Account of the Coaches in Palace on Wheels
b

Palace on Wheels

Captions Used:

L: Lounge; C: Two berth coupe; B: Four berth compartment; T: Toilet; P: Panrry

1. CT-2 This coach was built for the Maharajah of Jaipur in 1936 at Ajmer workshop. It was built with verandas on both sides, exterior painted in white colour, purple brown lines at window sills and flower motifs at the veranda sides. L+T+T+C+C+C+P=S berths
R

2. CT-7 This coach was built in 1911 at Ajmer workshop for the Viceregal train. It was used by Maharajahs of Rajputana and Govt. of India dignitaries. P+L+C+T+T+C+4B=8 berths 3. CT-9s Built in 1922 for the use of Maharajah of Nawanagar at the Bhavanagar workshop. It was popularly known as Nawanagar saloon and used by the famous cricketer Ranaji. The underframe of the coach was built by Stableford & Co. of Coalville in 1921. The ceiling is ornamental type and the side panels are of Burma

teak.
P+C+C+T+L+T+C+C=8berths

4. CT-17 Popularly called as Viceroy's carriage, it was used by Maharajahs of Rajputana and Government of India dignitaries. It was manufactured in 1913. It was painted white in the same pattern as of the other coaches of Viceregal train. The original length of the coach was 47 feet and six inches. This was one of the first coaches in India to havs SKF roller bearing on its axle boxes.
P+C+C+C+C+T+T+L=8berths

5. CT-31 This carriage was built in 1931 for the Maharana of Udaipur and his state officers. Originally built with veranda on one side. During the renovation in 1981, the veranda portion was merged into the main carriage body.
P+C+C+C+T+T+L=8 berths 6. CT-34755 owes its origin in the year 1929 and was used by Maharajah of Bhavnagar. This carriage had a veranda on the side and it is still intact with solid brass pillars. This carriage also shows the typical Saurashtra pattern of side panels and beautiful metallic ceiling. L+C+C+C+C+T+T+T+P=8berths 7. CT-34756 was built in 1917 for Nizam State Railways and was used by Nizam of Hyderabad and his state's high dignitaries. L+C+C+C+C+T+T+P=8berths 8. CT-814 This coach was built in 1907 at the Bhavnagar workshops for the use of the Maharajah of Bhavnagar state and its top officials. This coach has beautiful ornamental ceiling and teak body panels. L+T+C+C+C+P=6 berths

9. CT-3 This is the oldest carriage on Palace on Wheels. It was built in 1898 and was used by Maharajah of Bikaner and his high dignitaries.
4B+C+C+T+T+L+P=8berths

10. CT-10 This carriage was built in 1923 for Bikaner state Railway at Jodhpur workshop. It was used by Maharajah of Bikaner and his state's high dignitaries.
4B+C+T4r+L+R=6 berths

Promotional Skills: Case Studies-1

11. CT-20 This carriage was built in 1930 at Ajmer workshop. It was utilized by the Maharajahs of Rajputana and the high dignitaries of Government of India. In its original form, this carriage was fitted with 4 wheel Sheffield bogies from Mls Kamani Engineering company of Bombay. No major change occurred during the conversion of this carriage except that its length was inaeased by 2 feet and six inches on the main bedroom side.
4B+C+C+T+T+L+P=8 berths 12. CT-43 This carriage was built in 1937 at Jodhpur workshop for the use of Maharajah of Jodhpur and top officers of the state.

13. CT-744 Built as two-six wheeled bogies in 1910, it was used by Maharajahs of Rajputana and high dignitaries of Government of India. The underframe and the bogies of this c a g e were built by Mfs Stable Ford of U.K. Later on, six-wheeled bogies were replaced by four-wheeled bogies.

TOTAL CAPACITY OF THE TRAIN= 98 berths 14. CT-16J This coach was built in 1910. It was used by Maharaja of Jaipur state and his officers. In 1964, this coach met with a fue accident necessitating extensive rebuilding work at Amber workshop. Prior to Worldwar-11, the exterior of this coach was pained in white colour with purple brown bold lines near window sills. A beautiful flower motif used to welcome the occupants near the veranda. The same pattern of the exterior painting style has been adopted for Palace on Wheels. The underframe of this coach was built by MIS. Hr Nelson Company of Motherwell, UK and the bogies by ut Mfs Sheffield TwinBarrow, UK. This coach is airconditioned L+T+Bar+Elec. Cabin
15. CD-33065 This is a boat-shape carriage with excellent wood work inside it. It was

constructed for use by Maharana of Udaipur (Mewar). It has now been converted into restaurant annexe for Palace on Wheels. It has seating capacity for 20 persons. Furniture provided in it can be folded to convert this car into a discotheque. It is equipped with disco lighting and music arrangements.

Palace on Wheels

Ih

Itinerary and Scheduled Timings for Events

. Day 1

- Delhi
19.00 hrs. 20.30 hrs. 22.45 hrs.

Reporting Time Dinner on board on Palace on Wheels at Delhi Cantt Palace on Wheels departs for Jaipm

Day 2

- Jaipm
08.10 hrs. 08.30 hrs. 11.30 hrs. 12.45 hrs. 14.45 hrs. 15.30 hrs. 17.30 hrs. 18.00 hrs. 20.00 hrs. 21.45 hrs.

Breakfast on board Arrival at Jaipur Departure by luxury bus for sight seeing at City Palace. Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mabal Departure for State Handicrafts Emporium Lunch at Rambagh Palace Hotel Departure for Amber fort Elephant ride and sight seeing at Amber fort Departure for Nahargarh fort/Hotel MansingIHotel Jaipur Asbok Tea, Dinner and Cultural show a Nahargarh fort/Hotel Mansingl t Hotel Jaipur Ash& Departure for Railway Station Palace on Wheels departs for Chittorgarh

Day 3

- ChittorgWdaipur
07.30 hrs. 07.45 hrs. 09.30 hrs. 13.30hrs. 13.50 hrs. 14.15 hrs.

18.45,hrs.

Breakfast on board Arrival at Chittorgarh Departure for Chittorgarh fort Departure for Udaipur Arrivalatudaipur Departure by luxury bus for Lake Palace Hotel and boat ride Lunch at Lake Palace Hotel; Departure for sight-seeing at'city Palace. Lok Kala Mandal, Sabelion-Ki-Bari; Boat ride plus tea at Nehru Park island. (If the group strength exceeds 50, the excursion is divided into two batches. One batch follows the normal order of sight seeing while the other covers it in reverse order) Return to Palace on Wheels. Dinner on board and stay.

09.30 hrs. 1 1.30 hrs. 12.30 hrs.

Breakfast on board Departure by luxury bus for shopping and swimming . Retum to Palace on Wheels Palace on Wheels &parts for Jaisalmer. Lunch, Tea and Dinner on board.

Day 5

- Jaisalmer
10.00 hrs. 10.15 hrs. 13.00 hrs. 17.00 hrs. After sunset 20.15 hrs. 22.00 hrs.

Breakfast on board Arrival at Jaisalmer Departure for sight-seeing at fort and bavelis Return to Palace on Wheels for lunch Visit to cenotaphs and camel ride Return to Palace on Wheels Departure for dinner a Moomal Bungalow t Palace on Wheels departs for Jodhpur

Promotionall SklL: Case Stadles-1

Day 6 -Jodhpur
08.25 hrs. 08.45 hrs. 11.45 hrs. 12.15 hrs. 14.15 hrs. 15.45 hrs.

B M a s t on board Arrival at Jodhpur Departure by coach for sight-seeing at Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh fort Departure for lunch at Ummaid Bhawan Palace Hotel Lunch Retutu t Palace on Wheels o Palace on Wheels departs for ~haratpnr. and Dinner on board Tea

Day 7 - Bharatpur
06.45 hrs. 07.00 hrs. 09.30 hrs. 11.45 hrs. 13.00 hrs. 14.45 hrs. 17.00 hrs. 17.30 hrs. 18.30 hrs.

Arrival at Bharatpur Departure by luxury bus for bird sanctuary. Packed breakfast

served. D p r u e for Fatehpur Sikri eatr Depamrre for A m

20.00 hrs. 21.00 hrs.

Day 8 - Delhi
07.45 hrs.

Arrival by luxury bus for Lunch at Hotel Clarks ShiradMughal Sheraton Deqarum for sight-seemg at Agra fort and Taj Mabal Tea at Taj restaurant or on board Departure for shopping Return to Palace on Wheels Dinner on board Palace on Wheels departs for Delhi

Breakfast on board Arrival at Delbi Cant. Railway Station

Palace on Wheels

A brief writeup on the destinations covered by Palace on Wheels

Jaipur

Described fancifully as a "solid strawberry cream cake" or more popularly as the "Pink city", Jaipur is impressive in its planning. Built in 1727, Jaipur draws its name from an astronomer-prince Sawai Jaisingh 11. Ringed by a crenellated wall, punctuated with 22 feet high seken gates and criss-crossed by well laid out avenues, Jaipur is dazzling in its palaces, forts, gardens and intriguing baza&. It is the home of jewelers and gold enamellers, brass engravers, tiedyers, mirror-work embroiderers, potters, colour paper makers, carpet weavers, painters and traditional cobblers.
L

Famous sights include Hawamahal or Palace of Winds, a five storey latticed grand stand; the spectacular City Palace with its priceless treasure of costumes, artifacts and armour; Jantar Manta - the observatory of heavens; Rambagh Palace -once the royal residence, now a luxury hotel; the mighty Amber fort and the imposing Nahargarh fort - that echo the lives of and times of the chivalrous Rajputs.
*

Chinorgarh Reduced to'ruins three times by marauding invaders, Chittor resurrected phoenix-like to become the ultimate symbol of Rajput chivalry and sacrifice. It was here that hundreds of Rajput women committed Joha - self-immolation-in ordex to protect their honour when Chittor fell in the 15th century to the overwhelming might of Alauddin, the Khilji ruler of Delhi. Famous sights include the 37 m high Vijay Stambh or Victory Tower, the massive 700 acre fort, Rani Padmini's palace and the holy Meera's temple. Udaipur Nestling among verdant hills, this beautiful 16th century city is considered to be the most romantic spot in India. Its gleaming silver lakes and fairy tale palaces, sparkling fountains and lush gardens are unforgettable evoking a wistful mood of old-world romance and nostalgia. Famous sight include the Lake Palace, once a loyal island retreat and now a luxury hotel on Lake Pichola; the grand city Palace with its scalloped arches, frened balconies and cupolas; the Saheliyon-ki-Barior G r e of Maids; the Nehru park a tiny adn island dappled with date palms; and the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal or Folk am emporium.

Jaisalmer
A mammoth sand castle rising like a mirage out of the desert - that is the look of Jaisalmer, the ancient citadel on the caravan route linking India with Persia, Arabia and the Mediterrywin. T i architectural dream in the lonely, yellow silence of the Thar hs desert was built in the 12th century by Jaisal, a Bhatti prince. Its narrow lanes zigzag through intricately carved facades of houses and mansions. Famous sights include the beautiful Pahvon-ki-Haweli, the Gandhisagar tank and the exquisitely carved Jain temple.

Jodhpur
i

The fortified city, gateway to the great Thar desert is crowned by the spectacular Mehrangarh f a The city was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha of the Ratbore clan. A 10 h long wall encircles this medieval kingdom, where one can still savour the lifestyle and . charm of a bygone era. Famous sights include the Jaswant Thada -the white marble cenotaph and @e Umrnaid Bhawan Palace. Bharatpur Founded in 1733 by Maharajah Smajmal, Bharatpur i the eastern gateway of Rajasthan, s better known for its world famous 52 square Km.bird sanctuary called Keoladeo National Park. Originally a royal duck shooting reserve, this sanctuary attracts migrant birds in large numbers from the Arctic, Siberia, Central Asia, Tibet and China.
I
I

promotl01~1 wlb: c s stndlts-1 Fafehpur ae

Sikri

Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri or city of victory was soon abandoned because of acute water shortage. Today, it lives on in all its red sandstone splendour, but it has the spange empty look of a new, unlived city even after 400 years.

The bustling, buzzing ancient Mughal capital, whose life is the inimitable Taj Mahal; other equally impressive monuments that herald the zenith in Mughal art and architecture are its master craftsmen and its exotic handicrafts, carpets and stone-encrusted marble artifacts. Agra is considered the pride of Mughal cities. Famous sights include the Agra fort.

SOME USEFUL BOOKS FOR THIS BLOCK

A.L. Basham Dhararnrajan and Seth
:

The Wonder That Was India, Rupa, 1990. Tourism in India, New Delhi, 1994. Arts Patronage in India, New Delhi, 1993. Tourism De'velopment in India, New Delhi, 1993.

: : :

Erdman, Joan L (ed.)

Suhita C h o p

ACTIVITIES FOR THIS BLOCK

E I
Activity 1

Suppose you work in the Tourism Department of your State. A one week promotional event is to be organised in another State. List the tourism products of your State that you think should be visually displayed during the event.

D
Activity 2

What cultural items of your State would you like to present in the e v e h e n t i o n e d in Activity-1.

D
Activity 3

Make a list of ,the food specialities of your region which you think can be offered to the' tourists.

Make an itinerary for.a train covering places of tourist attraction in your State on the pattern of the Palace on Wheels.

EIl
Activity 5

Deliver a 15 minutes lecture on the Tourism Products of India to your friends or colleagues.