Kerala lines up pilgrim and beach circuits for tourists

The already vibrant tourism industry in Kerala is set for a major leap with the Centre granting in principle approval for two of its project proposals.

With the state tourism industry having bagged as many six national awards last year, the tourism department here is going all out to make Kerala a must-visit destination for the globe-trotters.

The state is now busy linking up attractive beaches region-wise as tour packages for the backpacker. E K Bharat Bhushan, principal secretary, department of tourism, told Business Standard that linking up of beaches had already begun in an effort to package the best beaches for the visitors.

"This apart, we are also linking pilgrimage centres to showcase them as pilgrim circuits. As a first phase, the pilgrim spots in the three districts of Kannur, Kasargode and Kozhikode (in North Kerala ) have been brought under a package and will be served as an ideal tourist package. The Government of India has accorded in principle approval for both these projects,'" Bharat Bhushan said.

Further, the tourism industry is also gearing up to tap another potential area which has already shown signs of helping the trade flourish. "The focus area, apart from developing beach and pilgrim circuits, is marketing the state as a medical tourism destination,'' he said.

``It won't be just ayurveda that would be showcased. Allopathy and other different forms of healing techniques would be tapped to showcase medical tourism in the state. The international meet on the subject held in Kochi a few days ago and the roadhows organised earlier pointed to medical tourism as a potential area, Bharat Bhushan said.