India may be a developing country but the Taj has placed it firmly on the list of must-visit place for the richest people on earth.
The world’s most luxurious — and priciest — holiday package is coming to India next year. Four Seasons (FS), a super luxury hospitality major, will be flying its all first class private jet with just 52 seats on a world tour, starting Los Angeles next February that will cover eight countries in 24 days — including two destination in India, Agra and Mumbai. The price to fly the FS plane and stay in FS properties is $119,000 (about Rs 71.5 lakh) on twin-sharing basis per person. And, the single occupancy option costs $130,000 or about Rs 78 lakh!
This tour will culminate in London and the tour cost does not include either the cost of flying to LA from the home cities of those who opt for it or the cost of flying back home from London after it is over. “This is the most premium travel package in the world. It has no counterpart,” said a FS official.
Travel industry veterans in India say there are few parallels to this kind of luxury tour. While they have heard of hotels chartering planes to fly in guests, a charter being organized by a luxury chain for travel around the globe in cities where it has properties is unheard of.
“This kind of luxury in India can be associated with Oberoi Vilas’ properties in India or the Aman resort. Globally, we can think of The Pierre in New York (a Taj Group hotel) Fifth Avenue and the Venetian in Las Vegas, which routinely organizes charters for guests in that league. Some places like Monte Carlo, Venice and Florence have positioned themselves as luxury destinations.
But, I cannot think of a hotel major organizing charter flights and making people stay in their properties as part of an around the world trip,” said Rajji Rai, a travel industry veteran in Delhi.
FS will use a Boeing 757 with handcrafted leather seats where its own trained professionals will provide inflight service. The “FS Private Jet Experience” will visit places like Kona (Hawai), Sydney, Bali and Istanbul.
In India, the rich holidayers will have the option of visiting Taj Mahal or Agra Fort in Agra. And in Mumbai, they will get a tour of the dhobi ghats — “the world’s largest open air laundry”.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/Worlds-costliest-holiday-package-coming-to-India/articleshow/36739973.cms
