Thiruvananthapuram, September 24: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to establish a full-fledged tourism division as part of efforts to expand its organised travel and tourism services, Transport Minister C. P. John announced.
The announcement was made during the launch of KSRTC’s new Lakshadweep and Hyderabad tour packages, currently operated through its Budget Tourism Cell. The Lakshadweep package also marks KSRTC’s move into air-linked tourism, with travellers flying from Kochi to Lakshadweep.
The first group of 10 tourists travelled under the Lakshadweep package. KSRTC has entered into an arrangement with IndiGo for 10 seats per trip, and bookings have reportedly been made for 10 trips through January. The Lakshadweep package is priced at around ₹30,000 and includes the flight, permits, airport transfers, accommodation and meals, while activities such as scuba diving and parasailing are charged separately.
KSRTC is also operating three-day and two-day Hyderabad tour packages, covering several major tourist attractions. The corporation is considering expanding its tourism portfolio further, including the possibility of organising Bharat Darshan tours under its leadership.
As part of the expansion, KSRTC has introduced upgraded software for its Budget Tourism Cell. The new system enables passengers to book tickets online and includes a waiting-list facility similar to the system used by Indian Railways.
The corporation is also looking at integrating tourism services with Kerala’s water transport network. According to the minister, KSRTC plans to coordinate with the Water Transport Department to operate solar-powered boats on the Parvathy Puthanar canal from September 30. The boats are being leased from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
The proposed tourism division could bring KSRTC’s various travel initiatives under a more structured framework, covering domestic tour packages, interstate trips, air-linked tourism and potential water-based experiences.
The corporation is also exploring opportunities in other areas, including participation in cargo movement from Vizhinjam port, for which trucks may be taken on lease. The developments indicate an effort to expand KSRTC’s activities beyond conventional bus transportation into tourism and related mobility services.
