Worldwide Rail Journeys (WRJ)

	Worldwide Rail Journeys
Abbreviation	WRJ
Industry	Luxury travel, Rail tourism
Founded	2013
Founder	Manish S. Saini
Headquarters	India
Area served	India, International
Specialisation	Luxury rail journeys, curated travel experiences
Years active	2013–present

Worldwide Rail Journeys (WRJ) is an Indian luxury rail tourism company founded in 2013. The company specialises in conceptualising, marketing, and facilitating premium rail travel experiences across India and selected global destinations.

Operating from India, WRJ is known for its emphasis on heritage-led and experience-focused rail journeys, positioning luxury trains as destinations in themselves rather than solely as modes of transport.

Over its operational history, Worldwide Rail Journeys has collaborated with government agencies, public-sector tourism bodies, and international luxury rail operators.

History

Foundation and concept (2013)

Railways tell stories long before destinations do.

Worldwide Rail Journeys was established with the aim of elevating rail travel into a curated luxury experience rooted in history, culture, and comfort. When luxury rail tourism in India was still evolving, the company adopted a specialist model focused on long-term partnerships and experiential design.

Founded by Manish S. Saini, WRJ was envisioned as a dedicated platform for promoting premium rail journeys that combine Indian heritage with global luxury standards.

Establishing expertise (2013–2018)

The formative years of Worldwide Rail Journeys were dedicated to developing operational knowledge and building trust within the highly regulated rail tourism sector.

During this phase, WRJ worked in coordination with Indian Railways, IRCTC, and various state-run luxury train corporations.

Key activities during this period included:

Representation and promotion of luxury trains such as Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, and Golden Chariot
Execution of luxury train charters and special rail itineraries
Development of a niche identity focused exclusively on rail-based luxury tourism

Market presence and expansion (2014–2019)

As its reputation grew, Worldwide Rail Journeys expanded its outreach to international travel markets and strengthened relationships with overseas travel professionals.

During this phase, the company:

Catered to over 9,500 travellers
Built partnerships with 350+ travel agents worldwide
Established a consistent presence in the luxury rail tourism segment

Awards and recognition

Worldwide Rail Journeys has received industry recognition for its role in promoting rail tourism and destination experiences.

Notable recognitions include:

National Tourism Award (2016) – Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Best Rail Tour Operator – India Travel Awards (2015, 2016)
Travel & Tourism Business of the Year (2017) – New Delhi
Best Brochure – Tour Operator (2014) – Indian Association of Tour Operators
Entrepreneur Trophy (2016) – Presented to Manish S. Saini

Disruption during the pandemic (2020–2021)

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a suspension of rail operations and international travel, directly affecting luxury rail tourism worldwide.

During this period, Worldwide Rail Journeys focused on strategic planning, internal restructuring, and maintaining relationships with global partners.

Renewed operations and international reach (2022–present)

With the gradual recovery of global travel, WRJ resumed operations and expanded its international luxury rail portfolio.

Its international associations include:

Rovos Rail – South Africa
SJourney Luxury Train – Vietnam
Train Suite SHIKI-SHIMA – Japan
Australian luxury trains such as The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, and The Overland

Within India, WRJ continues its association with major luxury rail services and acts as the Exclusive Marketing Partner for the Palace on Wheels.

Current profile

Worldwide Rail Journeys functions as a specialised luxury rail tourism company, combining institutional approvals, operational expertise, and international collaborations.

Core outlook

The company promotes the philosophy that rail journeys offer immersive travel experiences where the journey itself forms a central element of luxury.

External links