Deccan Odyssey begins 2026–27 season with new look, Maharashtra heritage-themed coaches and QR codes

The Deccan Odyssey has begun its 2026ndash27 season with a new exterior look Maharashtra heritagethemed coach names and QRcodebased digital information for passengers as the luxury tourist train embarked on its first journey of the new season on SaturdayThe Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation MTDC organised a special visit for its officers and employees to the Deccan Odyssey at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT in Mumbai on Saturday a day ahead of World Tourism Day pictwittercomrTBYoZjo7xmdash Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation HelloMTDC September 26 2026The Deccan Odyssey is MTDCrsquos flagship luxury tourism product and showcases Maharashtrarsquos historical cultural geographical and natural heritage to tourists from India and abroadFor the new season the train has been given a new exterior vinyl wrap while its coaches have been named after different regions associated with Maharashtrarsquos cultural historical and geographical heritage The initiative is aimed at helping tourists connect more closely with the traditions attractions and distinctive features of different parts of the state during their journeyQR codes offer information on Maharashtrarsquos heritageTo make the journey more informative and interactive QR codes have been provided on cabin keychains and in each coach of the Deccan OdysseyPassengers can scan the codes to access information about the history culture food traditions tourist attractions distinctive features and heritage associated with the region after which the respective coach has been namedMTDC said the digital initiative would make information about tourism destinations more accessible while adding an experiencebased and interactive element to the journeyMaharashtra Splendour itinerary covers seven destinationsThe first journey of the 2026ndash27 season is being operated under the popular lsquoMaharashtra Splendourrsquo itineraryThe itinerary covers Mumbai Nashik the Ajanta Caves the Ellora Caves Kolhapur Goa and SawantwadiThe journey offers tourists experiences spanning Maharashtrarsquos historical and cultural heritage spiritual tourism art food traditions and the attractions of the Konkan coastOn September 27 World Tourism Day the Deccan Odyssey will be in Nashik The city known for the Godavari river Kumbh Mela ancient temples and wine tourism represents a combination of Maharashtrarsquos heritage spirituality and contemporary tourism offeringsMTDC said the trainrsquos stay in Nashik on World Tourism Day would provide an opportunity to showcase the destinationrsquos tourism heritage to international visitorsInternational tourists join first journeyThe first journey of the new season has a large participation of tourists from the United Kingdom along with visitors from the United States Japan Canada and MalaysiaMTDC said the participation highlights the international appeal of luxury and experiencebased tourism in MaharashtraTourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai and Tourism Minister of State Indranil Naik along with Tourism Department Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Khandare and MTDC Managing Director Nilesh R Gatne are overseeing initiatives aimed at developing tourism in MaharashtraMTDC said the Deccan Odyssey is operated in line with its responsible and sustainable tourism policy with the train relying primarily on electricity for its operations The corporation said this helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels while supporting efforts to provide travellers with a highquality and environmentally responsible tourism experienceMTDC Managing Director Nilesh R Gatne said ldquoThe Deccan Odyssey is a distinctive platform that presents Maharashtrarsquos rich heritage culture hospitality and tourism diversity to the world Coach names based on the statersquos heritage and the information made available through QR codes will help tourists connect with different regions of Maharashtra in a deeper and more meaningful way The Deccan Odysseyrsquos halt at Nashik on World Tourism Day is significant for presenting this important destination to global travellers The trainrsquos primarily electricitybased operations also underline MTDCrsquos commitment to sustainable and responsible tourismrdquoMTDC officials inspect facilitiesGatne was also present during the visit and inspected various facilities on the Deccan OdysseyThe initiative was coordinated by MTDC General Manager Chandrashekhar Jaiswal and Head of Business Development Mansi Kothare MTDC officers and employees from the Mumbai region participated in the visitDuring the inspection officials and employees reviewed the trainrsquos accommodation and dining facilities passenger amenities interior decor new exterior appearance digital QRbased information system and the overall experiencebased tourism conceptMTDC said the firsthand understanding gained through the visit would help its officers and employees while interacting with tourists and promoting various tourism products and destinations in MaharashtraThe corporation said the new design regionbased coach names QRenabled digital information and experiencefocused itinerary have added new elements to the 2026ndash27 season of the Deccan Odyssey with the aim of showcasing Maharashtrarsquos history culture heritage food traditions and sustainable tourism practices to visitors from across the world