New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday flagged off the 2026-27 season of the state's flagship luxury tourist train, Golden Chariot, as the government looks to expand premium tourism, identify new destinations and generate employment through the sector.

The inaugural five-night, six-day journey, 'Pride of Karnataka', departed from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station with 75 guests on board, officials said. The first journey of the season was fully booked, marking a notable development for a service that had experienced limited demand during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, a senior Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) official said.

The train has undergone a revamp for the new seaso...