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To operate sightseeing tours across cities in India

BOOST FOR TOURISM: The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, with the Chairman and Managing Director, Raj Travels, Mr Lalit Seth (right) and Mr Brad Weber (centre), CEO of Gray Line of the US, at the launch of the sight seeing tour service in the Capital on Wednesday. - Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Jan. 10

Raj Travels and Tours has entered into an exclusive partnership with Gray Line Worldwide, the world's largest sightseeing company.

The tie-up is to see Raj Travels and Tours become the master franchise for Gray Line's India operations that would allow the company to use the Gray Line brand name, create sightseeing products within India apart from getting assistance from the US-based company for worldwide distribution of its products.

"We have entered into a pure marketing and booking tie-up with Gray Line. We have not offered any equity to them. There is no time limit on the present tie-up and it is for perpetuity," said the Chairman and Managing Director, Raj Travels and Tours, Mr Lalit Sheth.

The tie-up will initially see the Indian company operate a series of Gray Line tours in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Agra, Chennai, Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mysore and Mahabalipuram, among others.

Volvo coaches

"For launching the tours, we have invested in 34 Volvo coaches each costing close to Rs 80 lakh. For a small city like Agra, we will position one coach but in the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai we will eventually have a fleet of 10-12 coaches each. This will allow us to not only offer tours within the city but also short duration packages to cities of tourist interest that are close by," Mr Sheth added.

The investment for the coaches is to be met through internal accruals and the company has no plans to tap the market, officials said.

Tour packages

The proposed city tour packages would be reasonably priced although foreigners and Indians would pay different rates.

"A full day city tour of Delhi would cost around $20 for a foreigner and slightly less for an Indian tourist. The differential pricing is primarily as foreigners and Indians pay different rates for entry into various monuments," Mr Sheth said.

Besides, Gray Line will also be launching India Holidays that would have guaranteed fixed departure packages.

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