Kerala Gets First Campervan as ‘Keravan Kerala’ Gains Momentum

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala’s Caravan Tourism project ‘Keravan Kerala’ gained further traction with Bengaluru-based start-up Campervan Camps and Holidays India Pvt Ltd rolling out its premium truck-camper, LuxeCamper, in the state today.

Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas and Transport Minister Antony Raju jointly unveiled the state’s first truck-camper at Mascot Hotel here.

The startup is promoted by former cricketer Anil Kumble, musician Vijay Prakash; former Head of Sales and Marketing, Infosys, Subhash Dhar; and IT expert Phaneesh Murthy.

Speaking on the occasion, Riyas said the online registration for operating tourist caravans and developing caravan parks has elicited tremendous response from industry within a short span of the launch of the project.

“So far, we have received 198 applications for operating caravans and around 54 applications for setting up caravan parks. Since the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC) has come out with a scheme to provide loans upto Rs 5 crore, the project is sure to attract more entrepreneurs and groups,” Riyas said.

The new campervan will give a fresh appeal to Caravan Tourism as people prefer to travel in small groups post Covid-19.

Noting that Caravan Tourism project has become a reality within a short time, Antony Raju said in the history of Kerala Tourism no other project has taken off so quickly like this initiative.

LuxeCamper Founder and CEO, Tiger Ramesh said Kerala is the first state to come up with a comprehensive Caravan Tourism policy and it will soon become a trend in other parts of the country.

Tourism Director, VR Krishna Teja; Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Chairman, PK Sasi; Additional Transport Commissioner Pramoj Sankar PS; LuxeCamper Director Vinay Luthra; and Kerala Travel Mart Society President (KTM), Baby Mathew, were also present.

LuxeCamper can accommodate four travellers along with the driver in the main cabin. The truck-camper has sleeping area for two people in a compact space along with an optional tent that can be used for creating additional sleeping space.