The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), has appointed Cox & Kings (CKL), as its outsourced partner to operate the luxury train, Deccan Odyssey from October 2014. 

This partnership will cover full management of on-board and off board services, sales, marketing and operational activities. The agreement is for a period of 5 years with scope for extension for another 5 years.

Commenting on its decision to engage with CKL, Sumit Mullick IAS, additional chief secretary & chief protocol officer, Govt of Maharashtra said, ''With a long-term perspective and to boost the luxury train business, the MTDC has selected Cox & Kings. We are making efforts to showcase maximum possible destinations in Maharashtra. With the new partners, we are expecting innovative ideas to flow. The contract will be initially for five years and can be extended to 10 years.''

Jagdish Patil, MD, MTDC said, ''Deccan Odyssey is a prestigious product of MTDC and a big attraction for foreign tourists. We have won several accolades for this luxurious train and our priority is to maintain that quality standard of services and facilities. This association with Cox & Kings will assure the desired level of professionalism to manage services which also need flexible itineraries suiting best to various demands of customers. Highly complex logistic arrangements have enabled us to offer 10 different itineraries for Deccan Odyssey.''     

Shares of the company gained Rs 2.7, or 0.93%, to settle at Rs 292.55. The total volume of shares traded was 102,413 at the BSE (Tuesday).