GTDC’s Pilgrimage Tours from Goa to Tirupathi launched

~Pilgrimage Tours to Vailankani, Shirdi and Vaishno Devi to be launched soon~

Panjim, July 2^nd 2018: Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar  launched the special pilgrimage package tours from Goa to Tirupathi during a function held at Paryatan Bhavan on Mondayevening. The first luxury tour bus was flagged off by Mr. Ajgaonkar amidst much fanfare and fervor.

Also present on the occasion was the Chief Secretary Mr. Dharmendra Sharma, I.A.S, Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Sheo Pratap Singh; Director, Dept of Tourism, Mr. Menino D’Souza; Board of Directors of GTDC; and other officials from Goa Tourism.

  

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar speaking on the occasion of the launch said, “I am very happy to flag off the pilgrimage package tours from Goa to Tirupathi today and I wish this initiative a long and successful journey.  Goans can avail special packages and exclusive facilities at Tirupathi.  Even tourists coming to Goa can avail this facility.”

In a written message, Hon’ble Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral said, “There was a long pending request from local Goans wishing to visit Tirupathi for an exclusive package. In response to that, GTDC has come out with a very reasonably priced tour which provides comfortable travel, darshans, stay and other facilities. We are optimistic that the service will receive an overwhelming response from the people. We are also working on launching exclusive pilgrimage package tours to Vailankani, Shirdi and Vaishno Devi in the coming weeks.”

Chief Secretary of Goa, Mr. Dharmendra Sharma, IAS,  flagging off the  Tirupathi pilgrimage tours at the Paryatan  Bhavan  today said, “It is a privilege for Goans  to have special luxury tours from Goa to Tirupathi and tourists visiting Goa can also avail of this facility. Am happy that GTDC is taking initiatives that are beneficial for tourists and  local Goans and a lot more such tours to other pilgrimage places are also on the anvil.” 

Secretary – Tourism,  Mr. Sheo Pratap Singh  also  congratulated GTDC and  its team for introducing pilgrimage tours from Goa and  wished  the Corporation’s endeavours great success.

GTDC in association with SeaBird Travels launched the pilgrimage tours to Tirupathi which will facilitate a daily bus tour from Goa to Tirupathi and back in over two days and three nights. The multi-axle Volvo ac semi-sleeper coach service will begin from Mapusa and pick up passengers along the way (Panjim, Verna, Margao, Cuncolim and Canacona) and proceed to Tirupathi via Bangalore.

The itinerary includes a 12 hour halt at Bangalore where the pilgrims can opt for sightseeing or accommodation facility for the day at an extra charge.  The key highlight of the package is the facility ofdarshans at Tirupathi within a short time of one and a half hours as against the waiting time which extends to upto 5-6 hours. The package provides preferential service with special entry for Lord Balaji darshan at Tirumala, prashad, and also darshan of Goddess Padmavathi at Alamelu Mangapura before proceeding to Tirumala.

The package priced at INR 4,000 also includes a link coach by APSRTC from Tirupathi to Tirumala, a guide and darshan ticket. One complimentary breakfast and lunch at Tirupathi will also be provided.