Cox & Kings Ltd got the outsourcing contract of Deccan Odyssey for five years

Travel Company Cox & Kings Limited on 26 August 2014 got the outsourcing contract of Deccan Odyssey for five years. Deccan odyssey is the luxury train service of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

CKL will launch the first train service of the Deccan Odyssey from 4 October 2014 and will operate the train for nine months.

CKL will fully takeover the operations of this train and provide integrated services, including sales, marketing, operations, on-board and off-board service to tourists, mostly foreigners.

The deal included onetime payment of 1.12 crore rupees for the first year plus 2 per cent revenue sharing on variables. The payment to MTDC would increase from year to year.

Deccan Odyssey

Deccan Odyssey was launched in 2004. Currently, the train has a network which starts in Mumbai and runs to Maharashtrian destinations Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Belgaum, Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Ajanta-Ellora.

The Deccan Odyssey train has a capacity of over 80 passengers and consists of 21 coaches that include deluxe cabins, coupes and presidential suites with living room areas. It also has a conference car with a business centre, two dining cars with kitchens, a spa car, steam room, massage center, mini gym, foreign exchange facilities and a bar car.

Other Luxury trains

India has some of the most high priced luxury trains in the world. They are a major draw for wealthy foreign tourists, thanks to their traditionally premium services reminiscent of royalty.

The Indian government currently runs five luxury train services. These are Palace On Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, The Golden Chariot, Royal Rajasthan On Wheels and the Maharaja Express.

In comparison, China has two services and South Africa, Australia and Spain have three each.