THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
As two leading states in tourism sector, Kerala and Goa should explore avenues of cooperation for the benefit of both the states, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai has said.
Pillai was inaugurating the seminar sessions held as part of the first edition of South India’s prestigious travel expo Global Travel Market (GTM 2023) that opened here on Wednesday.
“Kerala Tourism is globally reputed for its high quality. The tourism in Goa is known for its variety. By strengthening the cooperation between them, both the states can benefit. Discussions in this regard could be initiated by the two governments”, Pillai said.
Promotion of tourism requires a pragmatic approach. Considering the growing demand, segments such as eco-tourism, health tourism and spiritual tourism need to be given more priority. Having quality infrastructure and safety are the two fundamentals of tourism, Pillai added.
Of late, there has been a spurt in visitors from Bangladesh to Kerala, mainly for wellness solutions, Deputy High Commissioner, Bangladesh, Shelley Salehin said.
Kerala is chosen by visitors from Bangladesh mainly due to two reasons, the availability of quality wellness services and presence of highly qualified medical professionals in the state, besides warm hospitality extended to them by people of Kerala, he added.
GTM CEO Siji Nair, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry president E M Najeeb, Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce president Reghuchandran Nair, immediate past president of Kerala Travel Mart Baby Mathew Somatheeram, GTM general convener Prasad Manjali and Kerala Tourism Development Association general secretary Kottukal Krishnakumar spoke at the opening seminar.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurated the four-day event at The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, Kovalam here, on Wednesday. The event has brought together tourism sector stakeholders from across the world.
