In a move aimed at attracting more tourists to the state, the Kerala Tourism is planning to promote its recently launched initiatives like Rural Tourism, Ecotourism, tours to tea/coffee plantations, and home stays.
M Sivasankar, director, Kerala Tourism, said of the 26 destinations selected as part of the Endogenous Tourism Project, launched by the Centre in association with the United Nations Development Programme to promote rural tourism in the country, two are in Kerala.
The two villages — Aranmula and Kumbalangi — are known for their temples and fishing activities and would be ready for tourists from this season.
Similarly, to promote ecotourism, the state has identified a few destinations, which can be developed with local support. Vana Rakshana Samitis have been formed in this regard, he told reporters here today.
Among others include the ‘Wakeup to Malabar’ campaign to popularise the northern region of the state. The department is also keen on promoting the Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) segment.
Besides, ayurveda centres are being classified under various categories by a committee comprising government officials and doctors. Houseboats and home stays too would be classified based on the facilities and the quality of service they provide.
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For weekend travelers, the department has launched a dream weekend plan to attract tourists from Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Salem and Mangalore.
Meanwhile, the second edition of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival, to be held from December 1 to January 15, 2009, is expected to see 5,000 shops, he added.
In 2007, the state registered a 5.92 per cent increase in domestic tourist arrivals at 66,42,941, of which the three southern states accounted for 50 per cent. A majority of them were from Tamil Nadu, said Sivasankar. The foreign exchange earnings for 2007 stood at Rs 2,640.94 crore, an increase of 32.82 per cent over the previous year, while revenues were up 25.28 per cent at Rs 11,433 crore during the period.