1/3 Of Palace On Wheels Journeys Cancelled In A Single Season In Rajasthan Amid West Asia Tension

One of the most expensive train experiences in India, the Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan is known for offering a royal journey across iconic destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. However, the luxury train has recently faced unusual disruptions, with a significant number of trips cancelled this season, raising concerns about the operations of one of the country’s most premium rail experiences. But what exactly went wrong?

Global Conflicts Disrupt Operations

With luxury coaches and traditional Rajasthani hospitality, the Palace on Wheels is one of the most premium ways to explore Rajasthan. However, the luxury train saw 10 out of 32 scheduled journeys cancelled between September and April this season. According to NDTV, this decline has been driven by a slowdown in international travel.

Rising geopolitical tensions, including conflicts involving the USA and Iran, have impacted global tourism, and India’s premium travel segment is feeling the effects as well. The Times of India reported that on its final trip of the season, the train arrived in Jaisalmer with only 30 passengers, while two upcoming journeys were also cancelled due to low bookings.

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Low Booking & Cancelled Trips Rajasthan’s Palace On Wheels Trains

Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels began operations in 1982, when foreign tourist arrivals to destinations like Jaisalmer were starting to grow. The train runs annually from September to April, avoiding the extreme summer heat and monsoon season. It can accommodate up to 84 passengers per journey, but in its most recent season, it carried only 30 passengers on its final trip.

For operations to run, a minimum number of cabins must be booked, but several journeys were cancelled as bookings failed to reach even 10. In its 43-year history, this is only the second time that nearly one-third of its scheduled trips have been cancelled in a single season, impacting operations for two consecutive years. The train has also been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic, after which demand has steadily declined.

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Time will tell the future of one of India’s most luxurious trains.

Cover Image Courtesy: website/thepalaceonwheels