NEWS| Dial 139 for hotel bookings

The railway enquiry number 139 would be available for booking hotel rooms anywhere in the country.

So far, 139 number was used for enquiry meant to know timing of train arrivals, departures, and seat/berth reservation availability.



Senior railway officials said they are working out the details of rolling out this value-added service. For that, the ministry is also in touch with call centres which might be roped in.

"Agreements for the service are being finalised with the hotel chains, including the Taj Group and Ginger hotels," said an official.

Officials said the payment modalities are being worked out and there are options of cash payment and also through credit cards. With rapid growth in domestic tourism industry, the railways has geared up to lure tourists in a big way.

Though the Indian railways catering and tourism corporation (IRCTC) had earlier been in tourism business, it was not in a full-fledged way as more focus was on catering business.

IRCTC has created a new tourism marketing department to work out novel ways to lure tourists in a big way.

"We are working out a dynamic strategy in association with transporters, hoteliers and state tourism departments to provide an affordable package to tourists", said an official.

The service will offer a full package right from booking tickets and hotels to providing road transportation, including sight-seeing trips for which hoteliers are interested.
The IRCTC will earn a commission for facilitating hotel rooms and car service

source: The Asian Age