MTDC Appoints Cox & Kings as an Outsourced Partner for Deccan Odyssey Beginning October 2014

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), has appointed Cox & Kings Ltd (CKL), as its outsourced partner to operate the luxury train, Deccan Odyssey from October 2014. This partnership will cover full management of on-board and off-board services, sales, marketing and operational activities. The agreement is for a period of 5 years with scope for extension for another 5 years.

Commenting on its decision to engage with CKL, Mr Sumit Mullick IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Chief Protocol Officer, Govt of Maharashtra said, "With a long-term perspective and to boost the luxury train business, the MTDC has selected Cox & Kings. We are making efforts to showcase maximum possible destinations in Maharashtra. With the new partners, we are expecting innovative ideas to flow. The contract will be initially for five years and can be extended to 10 years."

Dr Jagdish Patil, Managing Director, MTDC said, "Deccan Odyssey is a prestigious product of MTDC and a big attraction for foreign tourists. We have won several accolades for this luxurious train and our priority is to maintain that quality standard of services and facilities. This association with Cox & Kings will assure the desired level of professionalism to manage services which also need flexible itineraries suiting best to various demands of customers. Highly complex logistic arrangements have enabled us to offer 10 different itineraries for Deccan Odyssey."

The award-winning luxury train of MTDC, Deccan Odyssey, has been one of the major attractions for the discerning tourists from across the globe. With the increasing foreign tourists to India, MTDC has put up an aggressive plan to promote this luxury train internationally.

The train has 21 coaches, out of which 12 are passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (10 passenger Cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference Car, 2 Dinning Cars, 2 Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 2 Staff, spare Car, 1 Spa Car, 1 Bar Car. The train has on-board facilities like T.V., Cable connection with central audio disc player, cell phones, Channel Music, Foreign exchange facilities, etc. The capacity of the train is 88 passengers.

Referring to this partnership, Mr Arup Sen, director, special projects, Cox & Kings Ltd., said, "It is a privilege & pride to be appointed as the outsourced partner for the Deccan Odyssey and we will ensure that this spirit of partnership will benefit Maharashtra and enhance its position in India tourism."

Ripe with romance, adventure and style, each luxury rail tour with the Deccan Odyssey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A range of short and long journeys give travellers a chance to explore India's diverse, exotic locales and discover timeless traditions.

Maharashtra: The journeys across the state will cover the historical, spiritual and wildlife aspects of Maharashtra.

1. Maharashtra Splendour is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through Mumbai>Aurangabad/Ellora >Tadoba > Ajanta Caves > Nashik > Kolhapur >Goa > Mumbai.

2. Maharashtra Wild Trail is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through Mumbai >Ajanta Caves >Nagpur >Pench, Tadoba >Aurangabad /Ellora Caves >Mumbai.

3. Spiritual Sahyadri is a 5-day/ 4-night journey through Mumbai >Nashik >Shirdi >Mumbai.

4. Soul Quest is a 3-day/ 2-night journey through Mumbai > Shirdi > Mumbai.

Gujarat:

1. Hidden Treasures of Gujarat is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through Mumbai > Vadodara > Palitana > Sasan Gir > Little Rann of Kutch > Patan > Ahmedabad > Delhi.

Deccan:

1. Jewels of the Deccan is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through Mumbai > Bijapur > Aihole > Pattadakal, Badami > Hampi > Hyderabad > Mumbai.

West and North India

1. Indian Soiree is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through Mumbai >Ajanta Caves >Sanchi>Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambore >Jaipur >Agra >New Delhi.

2. Indian Odyssey is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through New Delhi >Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambore >Agra >Jaipur >Jodhpur >Udaipur >Vadodara >>Mumbai.

3. Golden Treasure is a 4-day/ 3-night journey through New Delhi > Agra > Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambore > Jaipur > New Delhi.

4. Indian Sojourn is an 8-day/ 7-night journey through New Delhi >Sawai Madhopur/ Ranthambore >Jaipur > Agra> Sanchi> Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad/ Ellora Caves > Mumbai.

The Deccan Odyssey will commence its first journey on October 4^th, 2014.

About MTDC:

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has been established under the Companies Act, 1956, (fully owned by Govt. of Maharashtra) for systematic development of tourism on commercial lines, with an authorized share capital of Rs. 25 crore. The paid up share capital of the Corporation as on 31st March 2008 is Rs.15.38 lakhs. The Corporation receives from the State Government financial assistance in the form of share capital and grants. The State Government has entrusted all commercial and promotional tourism activities to this Corporation.

MTDC has, since its inception, been involved in the development and maintenance of the various tourist locations of Maharashtra. MTDC owns and maintains resorts at all key tourist centers and having more resorts is on the plan.

For further media details, contact:

Sarbjeet Sharma, Goldmine PR; [email protected], +91 9987872613

Kimaya Patil, Goldmine PR, [email protected], +91 9833501007

About Cox And Kings Ltd: (BSE: 533144 | NSE: Cox&Kings)

Cox & Kings Ltd. (CKL) is the longest established travel company in the world since 1758. Headquartered in India, it is the leading holidays and education travel group with operations in 26 countries across 4 continents. In India, Cox & Kings has 168 offices located across the country.

A premium brand in all travel related services, the business can be broadly categorised as Leisure Travel, Corporate Travel, Education & Activity Travel, MICE, Trade Fairs, Visa Processing and foreign exchange.

CKL is amongst the largest players with its range of specialist options. Innovative packaging, pricing and marketing have been the hallmarks of its success over the years.

In India, the company has a robust domestic business under the brand name Bharat Deko and is a leading MICE operator out of India. CKL is amongst the major Foreign Exchange providers in the country. The Outbound Tours are segregated into Duniya Dekho (escorted tours), FlexiHols (customised tours), Luxury Escapades (unique & luxurious travel) & NRI (catering to Indians across the world).

CKL also owns Holidaybreak, an education and activity travel group based in UK. It has more than 15 long-established and widely recognised brands. Holidaybreak provides educational and activity trips for school children; worldwide adventure holidays; short breaks in the UK and Europe & mobile-home and camping holidays on sites throughout Europe.

Over the years the company has won many awards that stand testimony to its excellent service. Recent awards include The Best Inbound Tour Operator (Western India)'' from Durga Das Publications, "Favourite Outbound'' as well as Favourite Inbound Tour Operator" awarded by the Outlook Traveller Awards 2014 to Cox & Kings India, "India's Leading Tour Operator" & "India's Leading Travel Agency" awarded by the World Travel Awards 2013, "Best UK operator" awarded by The Travel Weekly Awards 2013 to Superbreak, "Best Company providing Foreign Exchange in India" awarded by the CNBC Awaaz Travel Awards 2013.

CKL is one of the founding members of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and are members of premier industry associations namely the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).