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The Kerala government will do its utmost to ensure minimal disruption to tourism activities during hartals, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. However, it is not possible to avoid hartals altogether, he added.
The Chief Minister was responding to a request for tourism-friendly policies, particularly with regard to hartals and excise regulations, at the inauguration of the ninth edition of Kerala Travel Mart here.
KTM Society president Abraham George made this request during his welcome address at the meeting.
According to the Chief Minister, the government has also taken steps to implement mechanisms to stop open defecation in the state with the deadline on November 1, the official start of the tourist season. There are also plans to permit only trained professionals in the ayurveda sector.
The main objective of KTM, he said, is to help the tourism sector to raise earnings by about ₹5,000 crore in the coming five years and will enable buyers to make new relationships and partnerships, create new packages and bring more visitors to the State.
State Tourism Minister AC Moideen said tourism could become a major catalyst for social change by providing opportunities for employment, preserving traditional ways of life and engaging with local communities.
Kerala Tourism accounts for 10 per cent of the State’s GDP and offering employment to three million people. KTM is seen as a catalyst for inclusive, accessible growth for tourism as well showcasing Kerala’s vibrancy as a tourist destination, V Venu, Principal Secretary (Tourism), said.
Foreign delegatesThe number of registered international delegates attending KTM 2016 has risen to 560. Domestic participation has been buoyed as well with nearly 1,300 domestic buyers participating this year. The expo will have 265 stalls featuring a range of products, packages and services offered by businesses and entrepreneurs.
As many as 57 foreign countries are participating at the trade event this year, including 10 for the first time. The new entrants to KTM include China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Georgia, Chile, Greece, Iran and Botswana.
Domestic buyers from 20 Indian states are also participating in the event which is the country’s biggest travel show focused on a single destination.
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