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Kerala Travel Mart from September 30

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, SEPT. 14. The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) will be held in Kochi from September 30 to October 2, the Tourism Minister, K.C. Venugopal, has said.

Addressing presspersons here today, he said that it was the only travel mart being held in the country with the help of the Central Government. "The State Government will spend Rs. 52 lakhs for the mart, which will be held at the Le Meridien International Convention Centre. The mart aims to provide background support in promoting Kerala as a tourist destination. The tourism sector in the State has targeted a revenue of Rs. 1,000 crores this season," he said.

"As many as 850 buyers have already confirmed their visit, apart from around 50 journalists from foreign countries. All the 151 stalls for the exhibition have been sold out. The event will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, on September 29," he said.

The president of the KTM Society, E.M. Najeeb, said the buyers would come from Australia, China, Egypt, Japan and other destinations. "The buyers are all of high quality, including 150 from the U.S. and the U.K. Kerala's credibility in the tourism sector is very high and this should be utilised," he said.

Boat show

Mr. Venugopal said the India International Boat Show would be held at the same venue from October 8 to 10. Overseas participation had gone up from 15 per cent last year to 35 per cent now.

The aim was to reach out to a larger audience by focusing on the leisure industry, primarily in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, he said.

Discussions were held with representatives of the Coast Guard, Customs and Cochin Port Trust (CPT) to ensure on-the-spot licensing for the exhibits, he said.

Talks on marina

The Minister said that he held talks today with representatives of the CPT, the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) on the proposed marina project. They were united in their stand that the marina should come up in Kochi.

The District Collector had been asked to coordinate on the transfer of land for the project. Steps would be taken to ensure that the project would not in any way disrupt the proposed railway line and the road connecting the NH with the Goshree islands, he said.

New projects

He said that a tourist-facilitation centre would be opened in Fort Kochi, costing Rs. 2.2 crores. The marine walkway would come up near the High Court in 100 days.

The new Guest House complex would be inaugurated in four months. The model road in between the High Court and St. Teresa's College will be completed in a year. The developmental activities in the village-tourism project at Kumbalangi would be completed in nine months' time. The Rs. 70-lakh UNDP project was ready for launch at Kumbalangi.

"I will review pending tourism projects every two months to ensure that projects are completed in a time-bound manner. Backwater and eco-tourism will be given importance, considering their vast untapped potential. Basic infrastructure like the availability of good roads, potable water and power will be ensured in tourist destinations and these have been accorded priority," Mr. Venugopal said.

Concern over tax

Meanwhile, representatives of the hospitality industry expressed concern at the high rate of taxes in the State.

At a meeting with Mr. Venugopal here, they said that Kerala imposes heavy tax on tourists and this would prematurely kill the State's tourism industry.

For example, Kerala levies high fee for obtaining liquor licence. The sales tax and power tariff are on the higher side in the State. This may result in companies and hotels making an exit from the State. The Government had to take a long-term view on this problem, they said.

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