KSRTC will introduce two-day package tours to Goa and Kerala

MANGALURU: After tasting success with one-day package tours launched during Dasara and Deepavali, KSRTC Mangaluru division, is planning to launch special two-day package tours to Goa and one day to Kerala this year-end.
KSRTC senior divisional controller Rajesh Shetty told TOI: "We are already working on introducing tour packages to Goa and Kerala for the Christmas holidays. For Goa, it is likely to be a one night and two-day package. In this regard, we are in talks with homestays so that accommodation can be arranged. The Kerala package will be to the Kanhangad, Rajarajeshwara temple, Taliparamba, Madayi Kavu temple and Bekal Fort. The Kerala tour package will be a day-long one," he said.
KSRTC's Mangaluru Dasara Darshana package tour received an overwhelming response that prompted the division to introduce 11 one-day packages to various destinations from Mangaluru, Udupi and Kundapur between October 21 to 31. Among these, a one-day trip to Madikeri, Kollur and Puttur has been a huge success and the division is likely to continue with these packages during the weekends.
Shetty said that the response has been amazing. Mangaluru-Madikeri tour package received the highest response. On average, about four buses operate to Madikeri per day. On Sunday, seven buses operated to Madikeri, three buses to Kollur and one to Puttur. The Kollur tour package from Mangaluru includes a visit to Maranakatte Mahalingeshwara Temple, Kollur Mookambika Temple, Kamalashile Durgaparameshwari Temple and Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple.
The package to Puttur covers Vittal Panchalingeshwara Temple, Murthyunjeshwara Temple, Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple, Gejjegiri and Hanumagiri and the Madikeri package covers Raja Seat, Abbi falls, Nisargadhama, Golden temple and Harangi dam. The response has prompted the division to continue the services for the weekends, Shetty said.
However, the Deepavali rush for the package tour was comparatively lesser than the Dasara rush. As part of the Dasara package, the KSRTC operated 119 buses and collected about Rs 13 lakh. About 70 buses in total are expected to operate till October 31 as part of the Deepavali tour package. On average about five buses operate per day this Deepavali, and fares are also competitive, Rajesh Shetty said.