The Hindu Business Line : Bekal Resorts Corpn to develop tourism products

Future plans
Efforts are on to create a `fort tourism circuit' linking seven forts in the district.
Steps to encourage rural and backwaters tourism.
The first resort in Bekal is expected to be ready next year.

Thiruvananthapuram , Aug 29

Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) is looking to expanding its sphere of operations with a foray into developing tourism products.

A senior tourism official told Business Line that BRDC, which is responsible for developing the infrastructure required to turn Bekal in Kasaragod district into an international tourist destination, plans to develop tourism products that highlight the attractions of the North Malabar region.

The tourism products to be developed by BRDC will also help create employment for local people, he added. The company has already initiated measures to encourage rural and backwaters tourism at Valiyaparamba in the district.

FORT CIRCUIT

Similarly, efforts are on to create a `fort tourism circuit' linking seven forts in the district, the official said.

The State Government-owned BRDC has already put in place much of the infrastructure required in Bekal and has also entered into agreements with five hotel companies to develop five of the area's six resort sites.

The Mumbai-based Khanna Hotels, the New Delhi-based Bharat Hotels Ltd, the UAE-based Holiday Group, the Thiruvananthapuram-based ATE Group and the Kochi-based cgh Earth are the companies that have been selected to develop resorts in Bekal.

Construction work on one resort site has already begun and work on the other sites is likely to begin soon, the official said.

The first resort in Bekal is expected to be ready to receive guests by next year, he added.

WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

Meanwhile, BRDC is in the midst of adding final touches to a water supply scheme that will benefit the resorts and the local community.

The water supply scheme will benefit people living in four panchayats, the official added.

BRDC is also implementing a project to improve the tourist facilities available at Bekal beach.

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