Bhubaneswar/Puri/Konark/ChilikaSTPB281222/A tour
TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN
This is a feedback on the just concluded Odisha Trip with trip code as mentioned above.
This is our 4th trip with Veena World and the third trip in a row, after Leh (May 2022) and Varanasi (Oct-Nov 2022). We two sisters have been taking the above trips with Veena World as we were happy with the services offered and impressed with the professionalism of the tour managers.
Unfortunately, this trip was very disappointing for the following reasons:
1. Unlike other times where To and Fro air tickets would be received well before time, this time only the return ticket from Bhubaneshwar to Mumbai was first received. There was no info regarding the tickets from Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar. I had to personally call the VW executive in the Thane office and remind her. Even after that, I had to request the tour manager to share the ticket. Only then I received the ticket from the tour manager and was followed by a mail and WhatsApp post by VW.
2. Food quality at the Bhubaneshwar hotel, Hotel Excellency was not good, though the rooms were good.
3. Quality of vehicles provided for the trip was below par by any standard. The vehicle provided on our arrival at Bhubaneshwar was small and cramped, with minimal leg space. Moreover, the AC unit of the vehicle was not functioning properly and it got very stuffy with just 9 people plus driver and the guide inside. The next day we had to travel to Puri in the same vehicle as immediate change could not be arranged.
4. Even when the two vehicles were replaced by a single mini bus, the situation did not improve as the seating space of the seats was small and very uncomfortable. Space was insufficient to the extent that you had to hold onto some other structure in case the bus negotiated a curve or went over a speed breaker. Seat belts were also missing. Leg space too was in no way better than the cramped matador-type vehicles.
5. I would also question the group policy here. It is a group tour and guests are required to adhere to the common norms and itinerary. But it was not so. Decisions were made and changed at the drop of a hat. To quote an instant, it was announced at Puri beach that we could visit the beach and do some local shopping. On our way back to the hotel, we would be taken to the Odisha Handloom house, ‘Priyadarshini’. As told, we finished our local shopping and gathered at the meeting place at 6.00 pm as told by tour managers. But it was a complete U-turn on our return when we heard that we would not be taken to ‘Priyadarshini’ and then a head count was being taken. WHY?
We have paid for the trip and it was no mean amount [nearly INR 50, 000.00 (fifty thousand) per head] for a domestic trip from one Indian state to another. So, it is within the rights of each and every guest to raise a red flag if things do not run as announced. No guest can be given priority over another. This is something which we did not witness on any of our earlier trips with Veena World. It was DISAPPOINTING!!!
Some of us insisted and were taken to ‘Priyadarshini’ thereafter.
To make matters worse, the group kept waiting for more than 40 (forty) minutes as the two smaller vehicles did not return in time to pick-up for the return journey. Further, Vehicle B (as they named it) arrived but there was no sign of Vehicle A. Vehicle B left and we in Vehicle A kept waiting. Finally, some of us, along with one tour manager arrived at ‘Priyadarshini’ in a local auto rickshaw. The driver of Vehicle A did not receive the call made to him by the tour manager. Ultimately, while on our way to the ‘Priyadarshini’ the driver called back. He was asked to come to ‘Priyadarshini’ and pick us up.
Some rubbish story was narrated by the local guide for the above cacophony which was not in the least convincing. No explanation was given by any of the accompanying tour managers. Only excuse being given was traffic but there was continuous vehicular movement on the same route.
LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM, I MUST SAY & WHAT A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY!!!
6. Visiting Chilka Lake was a complete waste of time. There was no sighting of Dolphins and we did not see any red crabs, except for some crabs shown to us on an island by some local fishermen. Proper recce should be done instead of wasting resources and valuable time of guests.
7. Sufficient and proper time should have been included in the itinerary to visit Chandrabhaga beach. It was just a hop on hop-off type of trip.
8. It was decided to meet for the 31st December New Year Party at 8.00 PM at the reception. We went there dot on time and kept waiting as there was no sign of any of neither our team guests nor the tour managers. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I had to call one of the tour managers who were already at the party venue. He did come back and escorted us to the venue but could have dropped a message on group to ask us to come directly to the venue. There was just a one-liner from him around 7.19 pm saying that party had already begun. Not acceptable in the least!!!
9. Another waste of time was the visit to Dhauli Stupa. Is there anything to see really……………?
10. Further, VW needs to draft a policy for guest behaviour and train the tour managers to handle conflict situations. Seat number in the vehicles were given to us by your company. We did not select or ask for it. But when one of the guests pointed an accusing finger regarding this, the tour manager said nothing in defence. They also stood as mute spectators when fellow guests kept hurling abuses in derogatory language at us.
11. Tour managers also ought to hold their calm while answering guests. I could feel the irritation on the part of the tour manager while answering our queries. We are NOT school students and we are not at their mercy and change of decisions. It was show of power, on more than one occasion, on basis of majority decision. Isn’t the itinerary pre-scheduled? There could be minor changes but majority decision was often called for. This cannot be done as this is a paid tour. An event organised in the evening was also cancelled as one group of guests did not attend. Whereas, some of us went even though it was not pre-decided Every time when we wanted to go for shopping, would be discouraged. May I know why? He just wanted to bring us back into the hotel or the resort.
Some introspection is definitely needed.
This trip was certainly NOT value for money. I shall think twice before embarking on any tour or trip with your esteemed company, Veena World, in future. Maybe concern of one odd customer like me will not create any ripples or will be of any concern to you.
Highlights of the trip:
· Visit to Lingaraj Temple
· Visit to Puri Temple
· Visit to Konark Temple
. Toshali Sands New Year Party
. Nandankanan zoo
Mrs. Shibani Das
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