The Hindu : Kerala News : State to focus on pilgrim tourism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

State to focus on pilgrim tourism

By Our Staff Reporter

KANNUR, SEPT. 13. The Minister for Tourism and Devaswoms, K.C. Venugopal, has said that folk arts, rituals, shrines and pilgrim centres in the Malabar region will be highlighted as part of the Government's plan to extend tourism development activities to rural areas.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kannur Press Club today, Mr. Venugopal said the Tourism Department would associate with the Kerala State Folklore Akademi to promote tourism activities in the region. Efforts would be made to strengthen pilgrim tourism in the northern parts of the State.

Mr. Venugopal said that Rs.77 crores would be allocated to the tourism sector during the current fiscal. The State would exert pressure on the Central Government to increase the Central allocation to the sector.

Stating that lack of basic facilities was a major problem facing the State's tourism sectors that contributed Rs.5,000 crores to Rs.6,000 crores to the State's economy every year, the Minister said the Government was planning to give thrust to infrastructure development. A comprehensive tourism connecting programme would be under way soon.

Conservation

Conservation of Arakkal Kettu here, which had been the seat of the lone Muslim principality in the State, development of the Aralam eco-tourism project, Paithalmala tourism project, houseboat terminal project at Vadikkal and Muzhappilangad beach development were among the projects identified for giving Government approval during the next 100 days. Three dilapidated forts in Kasaragod district would be renovated and a houseboat terminal built at Neeleswaram. Top priority would be given to the Bekal tourism project. The District Tourism Promotion Council mechanism would be strengthened.

To a question, the Minister said the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation would soon have a chief.

Reiterating that the existing tourism projects would be completed in a time-bound manner, Mr. Venugopal said that promotion of Kerala Tourism would be strengthened to market the State's unique tourism facilities. Stating that there was 26 per cent increase in the tourist inflow in the State over the past three years, Mr. Venugopal said basic infrastructure development would be given thrust.

Devaswom vacancies

The vacant posts in Devaswom Boards would be filled. The Government would convene a meeting of representatives of temple employees' unions and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials to discuss their problems, he said in reply to another query.

Earlier, the Minister was given reception at the railway station here on his first arrival in his home district after he was sworn in as Minister. The District Congress Committee also received Mr. Venugopal.

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