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 travel, experiential tourism
Years active	2013–present

Worldwide Rail Journeys (WRJ) is an Indian luxury rail tourism company established in 2013. The company specialises in designing and marketing premium rail-based travel experiences across India and selected international destinations.

Headquartered in India, WRJ focuses on heritage-driven and experience-oriented rail journeys, positioning luxury trains as immersive travel experiences rather than conventional transport services.

Over more than a decade of operations, Worldwide Rail Journeys has developed long-standing associations with government institutions, luxury train operators, and international travel partners.

History

Concept and establishment (2013)

The idea behind a journey often defines its destination.

Worldwide Rail Journeys was founded with the objective of redefining rail travel by integrating luxury, heritage, and storytelling into curated travel experiences. At a time when high-end rail tourism was still emerging in India, the company focused on building a specialised niche within the sector.

Founded by Manish S. Saini, WRJ was conceived as a platform to promote experiential rail journeys that reflect India’s cultural heritage while meeting global luxury travel standards.

Early operations and partnerships (2013–2018)

The initial phase of Worldwide Rail Journeys centred on operational expertise, compliance, and institutional collaboration.

During this period, WRJ worked closely with Indian Railways, IRCTC, and various public-sector luxury train corporations. These collaborations helped establish the company’s credentials within the regulated rail tourism ecosystem.

Key developments during this phase included:

Promotion and marketing of luxury trains such as Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, and Golden Chariot
Management of luxury rail charters and special train movements
Positioning WRJ as a specialised rail tourism facilitator rather than a general tour operator

Expansion and industry presence (2014–2019)

With increasing international visibility, Worldwide Rail Journeys expanded its overseas agent network and strengthened its footprint in the global luxury travel market.

During this phase, the company:

Served more than 9,500 passengers
Developed a network of 350+ international travel agents
Gained recognition within the luxury rail tourism segment

Awards and recognition

Worldwide Rail Journeys and its founder have been recognised by industry bodies for their contribution to rail-based tourism and destination marketing.

Selected 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) – Awarded to Manish S. Saini

Operational pause during the pandemic (2020–2021)

The global COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the tourism and hospitality sector, including luxury rail operations. Train services were suspended and international travel came to a standstill.

During this period, WRJ focused on organisational consolidation, partner engagement, and long-term planning.

International collaborations and revival (2022–present)

Following the resumption of global travel, Worldwide Rail Journeys expanded its international portfolio through collaborations with established luxury rail operators worldwide.

International offerings include:

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

In India, WRJ continues to be associated with all major luxury rail services and functions as the Exclusive Marketing Partner for the Palace on Wheels.

Present operations

Worldwide Rail Journeys operates as a specialist luxury rail tourism company, combining regulatory approvals, institutional relationships, and international partnerships to deliver curated rail travel experiences.

Approach

The company’s approach emphasises the journey as a central element of luxury travel, highlighting slow travel, heritage immersion, and experiential design.

External links