On the ‘Kaapi Trail’ in Karnataka
Unique coffee-growing regions are highlighted in this new initiative by Karnataka, BIAL, Thomas Cook and MOT wherein heritage, leisure and adventure trails are designed to attract a variety of travellers.
Innovation is the word in 2013 and this is showcased by a group of industry stakeholders through ‘Kaapi Trail’ packages introduced in South India.
Following the success of Kaapi Trail Festival in 2012, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Karnataka and Thomas Cook (India), has recently launched a series of packages and trails (adventure, leisure and heritage) covering the top coffee-growing regions in South India. The trails will not only engage the tourist with the history of coffee, processing of the beans and the experience of staying in the middle of coffee plantation, but also connect them with the local culture, cuisine and indulge them in mountain treks, cycling tours and heritage walks to ancient temples and palaces, jeep safari in wild life sanctuaries and much more.
Through Kaapi Trail, we intend to increase air traffic and showcase the state
To promote ecotourism in the region, homestays are also included in the coffee plantation areas. Sanjay
Through this initiative, we offer a flavour of vibrant coffee culture of South India
Reddy, Managing Director, BIAL, says, “Our main intention is to make coffee trails just a single-click option for global coffee lovers. Through Kaapi Trail, we intend to not only increase our passenger and air traffic at the airport, but also showcase the state in a new light and focus for domestic and international tourists ( both leisure and MICE). With India consuming over 100,000 tons of coffee a year and it being the sixth largest coffee producer in the world, the Kaapi Trail is a must-do for coffee enthusiasts.”
Talking about the unique customer-centric travel experiences,
Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) said, “Through this unique travel initiative, we intend to offer a flavour of rich and vibrant coffee culture of South India to our domestic and inbound travellers. Our technology platform provides effective showcasing of the diversity of these travel packages with simple booking process.” Travellers can book these trails with any of its 253 offices (including 27 airport counters) in 102 cities across India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka or with any of its 124 Gold Circle Partners and 169 Preferred Sales Agents in over 100 Indian cities. The trail packages cost between ` 28,000-`
32,000 per person for a six-day trip.