The Kerala Government has held preliminary discussions with the ambassadors of nearly 31 countries in Europe, Asia and the Far East to promote the Spice Route project.

The tourism industry has set store by this project, which would redraw the ancient trade route that linked Kerala with the outside world, A.P. Anil Kumar, the State Tourism Minister, said.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with UNESCO in this regard and discussions are on with several countries. The project would prove to be a milestone in the development of Kerala’s tourism industry, he said.

The Minister was speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the ongoing Kerala Travel Mart at Willingdon Island on Thursday.

The State Government is also exploring ways to promote tourism in the State. One of the aims is to make Kerala a wedding destination, he said.

According to Suman Billa, State Tourism Secretary, the Government has identified five new destinations in this year’s Travel Mart, including Bekel, Cheruthuruthy, Athirapally, Cherai and Kollam. Besides, a new initiative called Net-Venture is proposed to promote adventure tourism in the State, he said.

Earlier, inaugurating the three-day Travel Mart on Wednesday night, the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy assured the tourism industry that the Government would review their worries with regard to the new liquor policy, which proposes to close down bars in the State.

Though the Government has its limitations on the Excise Policy, the Chief Minister said he would take note of the concerns of the tourism sector.

According to him, the tourism sector had fetched ₹23,000 crore in the last financial year and the Government would extent it all support.

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