The Hindu Business Line : Rs 1,000-crore investment target for Kerala Tourism

On the anvil
The linkage of the tourism sector with traditional sectors such as agriculture will be strengthened.
Farm tourism will be developed as a new tourism product.
Scheme to develop `smart waterways' from Manjeshwaram to Kovalam.
A tourism institute of international standards will be set up.

THE MINISTER for Home, Tourism and Vigilance, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, launching the monsoon tourism project of Silver Storm Water Theme Park, in Kochi on Monday. Also seen are the Tourism Director, Mr B. Suman, and the Principal Secretary (Tourism), Mr E.K. Bharat Bhushan. - Vipin Chandran

Kochi , June 12

Considering the surge in the foreign exchange earnings from tourism, Kerala Tourism has set a target of Rs 1,000 crore investment during the current year in the State.

The Government will give priority in attracting investments in tourism and the guiding factors in any tourism scheme will be indigenous, environmental friendliness and community involvement, the State Tourism Minister, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, said at a press meet here on Monday.

The Minister pointed out that the foreign tourist arrivals and domestic tourist arrivals to the State in 2005 were 3.46 lakh and 59.46 lakh respectively and there was a 20 per cent increase in the arrival of international tourists during the last tourism season from November 2005 to March 2006.

He said that the foreign exchange earnings from tourism were Rs 1,552.31 crore and the total earnings from tourism during the last year worked out to Rs 7,738 crore.

The department also envisaged to create large-scale employment opportunities through Rs 1,000 crore investment, he added.

Farm tourism

The linkage of the tourism sector with traditional sectors of the State such as agriculture will be strengthened to revive them. Farm tourism will be developed as a new tourism product. Under this, the department will assist workers engaged in the manufacture of coir, handlooms and handicrafts, he said.

According to Mr Balakrishnan, the tourism potential of Malabar will be tapped. A new circuit, with Bekal, Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode, Nilambur and Wayanad as nodal points, will be developed. Special incentives will be given to investors in these areas.

The Bekal beach, backwaters of Malabar, Muzhuppilangad-Dharmadom Island, sand banks of Vadakara, Beypore and Thusharagiri in Kozhikode, Nilambur, the Banasura dam and Beenachi eco-park in Wayanad will be developed as tourist attractions of international standard. A cultural village will be developed in Kannur to promote art forms like Theyyam. The potential of wildlife sanctuaries will be fully utilised.

The Government, he said would prepare a scheme to develop `smart waterways' from Manjeshwaram to Kovalam, in coordination with the Water Resources Department. The Union Government would be persuaded for financial assistance to develop the West-Coast Canal as a continuous link of the waterway from Kovalam to Neeleshwaram, by opening up an uncut portion of 34.20 km.

Tourism institute

A tourism institute of international standards will be set up to take care of the growing needs of professionals in the sector. The Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism studies (KITTS) will be strengthened as a nodal agency for human resource development in tourism. Tourism festivals will be organised in all districts. The Government will take steps to ensure that tourist destinations are clean and safe, he said.