Kerala to involve ‘Kudumbashree’ units in tourism initiative

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism plans to involve units of ‘Kudumbashree’ or the State Poverty Eradication Mission in a significant manner in its responsible tourism initiative, said Kerala Tourism Minister, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said that ‘Kudumbashree’ units would be encouraged to supply farm produce to hotels and manufacture souvenirs for tourists.

The initiative has already taken off in Kovalam and Kumarakom and would soon be launched in Thekkady and Wayanad.

Responsible Tourism Implementation Cells will be set up in all major destinations. Kerala Tourism has identified 110 products to be manufactured as souvenirs. Training will be given to members of Kudumbasree units in production, packaging and marketing of these products, he added.

NRK Conference:

The State Government also plans to hold a conference of persons representing non-resident Keralite organisations across the world to form a Global Kerala Alliance in Tourism, the Minister said. The Government also plans to form Tourism Destination Management Councils for major tourism destinations in Kerala.

The councils will play a major role in the management of each destination and will begin functioning this year itself, he added. The tourism department has initiated steps to implement projects worth Rs 111 crore during the current year.

Tourism projects worth Rs 75 crore supported by the Union Government and projects worth Rs 78 crore supported by Nabard are also being implemented.
In 2007, foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala grew by 20.37 per cent over 2006 to cross 5.15 lakh, he pointed out. Domestic tourist arrivals last year grew by 5.92 per cent over 2006 to cross 66.42 lakh. The total revenue from tourism grew by 25.28 per cent to touch Rs 11,433 crore last year, he added.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation had earned the highest profit in its history last year and will implement projects worth Rs 40 crore this year, he said. Tourism Resorts Kerala Ltd will be reconstituted and new projects implemented in the public-private partnership mode at Nelliampathy, Peerumedu, Varkala and Veli.