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Kerala Tourism posted an 11 per cent growth in revenues to Rs 21,125 crore for 2012, as compared with Rs 19,037 crore in 2011.
The state was witnessing a growth of 12-13 per cent in earnings from foreigners, while from domestic tourists this was growing around 10 per cent every year. The department expects this momentum to continue and clock the same percentage of growth in 2013 as well, said Anil VS, tourism information officer.
Foreign exchange earnings of the state went up from Rs 4,221.99 crore in 2011 to Rs 4,548 crore in 2012. The state witnessed 749,000 foreign tourist arrivals in 2012 as compared with 733,000 in 2011. Compared with 9.3 million domestic tourists in 2011, around 10 million domestic tourists came in in 2012. This excludes the number of people visiting as part of pilgrimage to Sabarimala, he added.
On the Seaplane project, he said six companies, including Wings Aviation Pvt Limited, Bharat Aviation Pvt Ltd and Pawan Hans Ltd, had evinced interest.
The project has received all the necessary approvals and is likely to be launched in April. While initially the planes would connect six destinations, plans are to connect 20 places at a later stage.
According to a government document, Seaplane operation can be initiated with one aircraft at an approximate cost of Rs 10 crore. It could have one of the three international airports in Kerala as its hub for operations.
The state government would invest in creating infrastructure for the landing of seaplanes, while the rest of the investment would be from the operators. The investment from the government would be from the Rs 172 crore total budget allocated for the department for 2012.
The department also expects to launch Project Muziris -to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris - in 2013. The project has a budget allocation of Rs 140 crore, he added.
