India's Aircraft Carrier to Be Modified into a Hotel on Board

According to the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu, the INS Viraat, the world's oldest operational aircraft carrier, is on the way to be modified into a hotel and conference center on board.

Weighing 28,000t, the Viraat initially served the UK Royal Navy as HMS Hermes and was purchased by the Indian Navy in 1987. By June this year, this 60-year-old Viraat will be decommissioned on the coast of Mumbai and start its new mission as a tourism attraction.

After the modification, the Viraat will be docked at India's eastern coast in the city of Visakhapatnam and is going to be given the title of the world’s first and only aircraft carrier open for overnight stays. Visakhapatnam also houses INS Kursura, a Soviet-built decommissioned submarine, which was converted into a museum in 2002.

As Naidu says, "The Viraat will have 500 rooms and a conference hall to seat 500 people. Since it is an aircraft carrier, helicopters can easily land on it. It will be convenient to hold conferences, apart from being a major tourist attraction."

With such a large capacity of tourists and its military history, the Viraat will undoubtedly become a highly recommended new scenic spot in India. When traveling on board, tourists can pay around $1,000 to $2,000 and stay put in its Commander Suite. The ship is also envisioned as a platform for sea sports like yachting, sailing, gliding, and cruising.

With all the above modifications, the INS Viraat will certainly attract not only military fans from all over the world but also those who hope to see something special in India. It may be a good choice to take a side trip to see the Viraat, apart from the mainstream itineraries of traveling to India.

Fascinated by the breathtaking Viraat and interested in a special India tour? Let us tailor-make one according to your specific requirements!