The Hindu Business Line : Centre sanctions Rs 38 cr for Kerala tourism projects

Projects for which Central assistance has been given include destination development programmes, development of rural tourism villages and development of a tourism circuit, he said at a press conference in the city today. More projects have been presented to the Centre for financial assistance, he added.

RURAL TOURISM

Projects covered by the Rs 38 crore sanctioned by the Centre include establishment of rural tourism villages in Aranmula and Idukki; creation of a new tourism circuit; and destination development schemes in places such as Vagamon, Kumarakom and the Padmanabhapuram palace complex.

Kerala needs more hotel rooms to meet the growing demand for accommodation from tourists and business travellers, the Minister said. In order to meet the demand for hotel rooms, the State Government will support efforts to set up more hotels, especially budget hotels, in Kerala, he added.

According to Mr Sanjay M. Kaul, Director, Kerala Tourism, over four lakh foreign tourists visited Kerala last year. He told Business Line that the total number of international arrivals in Kerala last year is likely to be close to 4.5 lakh. In 2006, international arrivals grew by around 25 per cent and this pattern of growth seems set to continue this year as well, he added.

TIE-UP WITH BENGAL

West Bengal and Kerala will work together to promote tourism, Mr Balakrishnan said. While Kerala will set up a tourist information centre in Kolkata, West Bengal will open an information office in Thiruvananthapuram. Both State Governments will also work together to improve air and rail connectivity between West Bengal and Kerala, he added.

This year, West Bengal will be the partner State for the Nishagandhi Festival of dance and music scheduled to begin in Thiruvananthapuram on January 20, the Minister said. As in previous years, dancers and musicians from across the country will perform during the Nishagandhi Festival.

Musicians and dancers from West Bengal will conduct special performances during the festival. The seven-day event will also include a handicraft fair and a food festival.