CWG award winners to get free tour packages

After offering the Common wealth Games medal winners and their companions free hospitality in the country's luxury trains, the tourism ministry has tied up with various stakeholders to provide complimentary stay at luxury hotels and tour packages.As announced during the Commonwealth Games 2010, the Union tourism ministry in association with the Rajasthan and Karnataka governments and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has presented complimentary travel packages for the award winners and the coach or one companion to travel on the luxury trains including Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Maharaja Express and Golden Chariot.

All costs including travel, accommodation, food and tourism are covered in these trips which extends up to seven nights. The sportspersons can avail of these trips anytime up to March 31, 2012, depending upon the availability of accommodation and the choice of luxury train given by the medal winner. These incentives range from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 3.20 lakh per person according to the category of medals won.

The ministry has also tied up with the Hotel Association of India and announced hotel packages at 27 locations across the country at 48 member hotels like Taj, Oberoi, ITC, Leela for gold medal winners.In association with Indian Association of Tour Operators, the government has also offered winners a tour of the Golden Triangle including Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi. The tour includes hotel accommodation with breakfast, transport and sight seeing.