ROAD SHOW: (From left) Panthalam Sudhakaran, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation; K.C. Venugopal, Kerala Tourism Minister; Actor Jayaram and E.K. Bharath Bhushan, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, with kathakali artistes in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: A southern regional tourism circuit will soon be in place and a joint promotion package worked out among Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Pondicherry.

Though the Tamil Nadu Forest Department expressed apprehensions about development of circuit, the hurdles would be cleared, the the Kerala Tourism and Devaswoms Minister, K.C. Venugopal, said on Thursday.

``We have taken a conscious decision not to disturb the ecology and at the same time provide sustainable eco-tourism to the tourists,'' he told a press conference as part of a road show organised by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

Pointing out that ``God's own country'' was accepted as one of the 50-must destinations, the Minister said all promotional efforts by the Government, supplemented by the private sector focussed on ``sustainable tourism.'' Efforts were on to promote tourist spots in north Kerala.

On increasing air connectivity, Mr. Venugopal said the Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister, impressing upon the need for direct flights between Kerala and European destinations. ``We have already penetrated the Gulf and Middle East market. And we will increase our visibility further by participating in the Arab Travel Mart in May this year.''

Boutique destination

E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, Devaswom, said Kerala was being projected as a ``boutique destination'' to not only overseas tourists but also in the domestic market. It was a record high of 59,75,000 domestic tourist arrivals in 2004. There was a 16.69 per cent growth in overseas tourists.

Mr.Bhushan, who is also the Health Secretary, said the Kerala Government would soon come out with a law to check the mushrooming ``unauthorised Ayurveda centres.'' Certification schemes for Ayurveda and houseboats were already in place to check the quality of products and services.

Pointing out that the Kerala Government would work in harmony with all neighbours to aggressively market the State's new tourist attractions, Mr. Bhushan said the Government of India had accorded in-principle clearance for construction of an international airport at Kannur.

``The details of the joint venture project are being worked out.''

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