KTDC Launches Kerala’s First Caravan Tourism Package

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Imparting an added momentum to the state’s Keravan Kerala initiative, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has come out with an attractive ‘Caravan Holidays’ package, which offers the tourists a high-end experience of travelling through the panoramic settings at an affordable rate with an array of frills attached including free breakfast and parking.

Under the package, a tourist can enjoy all comforts and compliments while travelling on a luxury caravan paying Rs 3,999 plus tax per person per night. The ride fare per kilometre has been fixed at Rs 40. Each caravan will carry up to four adults and two children.

As Kerala’s premium hospitality service provider, the state-run KTDC has struck agreement with caravan service providers opting to operate under the package.

An initial safari circuit worked out as part of the package covers Kumarakom-Vagamon- Thekkady route. Starting from lake-side Kumarakom in the morning, the caravan will reach Vagamon in the afternoon, covering a distance of 80-100 km through the stunning scenic settings of the central Kerala. The package offers free parking and bonfire experience for tourists at Keravan Meadows, Vagamon.

The next day, the journey will resume to take visitors to eco-tourism hub Thekkady, where they will be provided stay at one of the KTDC’s properties. Tourists can opt for a single day journey or travel through the entire route.

“It is significant that KTDC is launching this highly attractive package when tourism activities are back in full swing in Kerala. This wholesome package aims at providing a high-end experience to domestic as well as foreign tourists at a reasonable rate”, said P K Sasi, Chairman, KTDC.

This will also help stakeholders in tourism sector to quickly recover from the downturn caused by the staggered Covid-19 pandemic, Tourism Director V R Krishna Teja said.

This is the first package to be announced as part of the recently-launched caravan tourism project. The response from the industry to the Caravan Holidays has been encouraging, said V Vigneshwari, Managing Director, KTDC.

The compliments in the package include free veg breakfast, refreshments to be served on caravan, free snacks, tea and coffee in park, bonfire experience and Wi-Fi connection for tourists.

The breakfast will have a choice of seasonal fruit juices, toast, butter and jam, cornflakes or porridge, followed by a course of South Indian dishes like idly, dosa, appam, idiyappam with accompaniments like chutney and sambar. For those opting for North Indian menu, poori bhaji and stuffed parathas will be served with a variety of spice-rich curries.