Kerala Ready to Receive Tourists in all Major Travel Destinations: Minister

NEW DELHI:
Allaying apprehensions about the preparedness of its globally famous destinations, Kerala today announced that it is ready to receive tourists in all major places, within a month after the state was convulsed by one of the most devastating floods in recent times.
“Tourism is a major contributor to Kerala’s economy and a significant source for earning foreign exchange. The floods left the tourism industry in a state of disarray and shock, but it was only for a while. Now it has bounced back into business with a renewed vigour, demonstrating its inherent resilience and determination to overcome the traumatic aftermath of the floods,” Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said at a media interaction at the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia here.
Asserting that things are back to normal, he said restoration and rehabilitation activities are in full swing. “Road connectivity has been re-established. Flights are operating. Hotels and resorts are up and running. Kerala is back on track. God’s Own Country is ready to welcome tourists once again,” he added.
The minister, who was accompanied by top officials of Tourism Department, said there is a need to restore confidence of various stakeholders in the tourism sector, both in India and in major foreign markets, and assure travellers that the state’s tourism and hospitality industry is fast returning to normalcy.
In this connection, he drew attention to a “Tourism Readiness Survey”, which was recently conducted by the government with a detailed district-wise and destination-wise analysis of places, roads and other modes of connectivity. The survey revealed that only a handful of resorts needed to become operational. They too will be ready soon. Based on this readiness, Kerala Tourism has drawn up time-bound action plans.
Surendran said the government has embarked on the reconstruction and repair works of the roads on a war-footing, and primary connections have been established. To reassure the world, the reopening of Cochin International Airport after the floods was telecast live on Kerala Tourism’s social media channels recently.
Pointing out that the visitors had already started arriving in Kerala for the upcoming tourist season, the minister said the season’s first chartered flight carrying 60 tourists from Australia arrived in Kochi on September 15.
Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the biennial Tourism Trade Fair that showcases the entire spectrum of Kerala’s tourism industry to the world, will be organised in a befitting manner, bettering the previous nine editions. Till date, 545 international tourism buyers from 66 countries and 1, 090 domestic tourism buyers have registered for KTM, which is to be held in Kochi during September 27-30.
Another high profile event—the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KBM)—will be held from 12th December 12, 2018 to March 29, 2019. This biggest contemporary art event in South Asia will be used as a platform to showcase the resilience of Kerala, and it will have artists from all over the world taking part, saluting the spirit of the land and the robustness of its syncretic culture.
Surendran said the Malabar region in North Kerala would be promoted in a big way after the opening of the Kannur airport soon.
The Govt of Kerala is considering organizing the Champions Boat League this year as planned earlier sending out a message that Kerala’s waters are also safe for adventurous activities as well.
He said the newly opened Jatayu Adventure Centre near Thiruvananthapuram would be a major attraction during the coming tourist season. The centre houses the world’s largest bird sculpture, a virtual reality museum, a state of the art ropeway and many other adventure activities.
The Tourism Department is also organising FAM tours for travel writers, journalists, meeting planners and travel agents, besides a new brand campaign to promote Kerala globally.
Road shows have also been planned in India and abroad to demonstrate Kerala’s readiness to the world.
Tourism Secretary Rani George, Tourism Director P Bala Kiran and other leaders from the Kerala travel fraternity were among those who accompanied the minister.