The fifth season of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF), Asia's biggest shopping festival, will commence here on December 1 and run for 45 days to end on January 15, 2012.

The State Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, will inaugurate the function at Marine Drive on Thursday, which will be chaired by the Tourism Minister, Mr A. P. Anil Kumar.

Industrial growth

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Dr Rathan Kelkar, Additional Director, Tourism and Director, GKSF, said the State Government is aiming to make this programme a step forward for industrial growth. The declared aim of the shopping festival is to make the tourism sector an international industrial centre. The department has designed the festival to give a ‘Real Shopping Experience,' while awarding an opportunity to ‘Feel the Kerala' where visitors can connect with the State and explore its rich art, crafts, culture, customs and architecture. Kerala is the first State in India to promote such a shopping festival on a mammoth scale, he added.

GKSF – 5 will also open up a new shopping season for the State, besides Onam. The State has been witnessing more sales during GKSFs than Onam period. During 2010-11, GKSF – 4 marked sales of more than Rs 2,000 crore , more than the sales registered during the Onam period. This year the Government is targeting a sale of over Rs 2,500 crore, he said adding that there are also plans to introduce night shopping for the first 10 days.

Prizes

This year there is big improvement in prizes. 101 kg of gold will be given as prizes. Mega prize will be 1 kg gold for one person and second prize ½ kg gold each for three persons. There will be weekly prizes also. For this purpose, 6 weekly draws have been arranged.

With new innovative promotional properties like GKSF in place, the State can raise the tourism profile of Kerala beyond boundaries to the national and international markets. Through GKSF, the department wants to ensure the best quality visitor experience and multiple community benefits and establish Kerala as a global brand, he said.

This year, GKSF will provide 100 per cent VAT refund for consumers from outside the State who shop using credit cards. Major brands like South Indian Bank, Malabar Gold, World Gold Council, Josco , Bhima Jewellers, Tata Motors and Big Bazaar have entered into strategic alliance with GKSF – 5.

The official closure of the festival is planned to be held in Malappuram on January 21.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW