The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Vazhiyoram centres likely to come up by March

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Vazhiyoram centres likely to come up by March

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

1,500 entrepreneurs respond to Expression of Interest

An artist's view of a Vazhiyoram centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first 250 Vazhiyoram centres, being set up by Kerala Tourism as part of making travels to important tourist destinations a totally different experience, are expected to come up by March next year.

The response to the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the new venture was overwhelming with 1,500 entrepreneurs, including two dozen women, from the State and outside evincing interest for the project. The last date for receiving applications is June 30. The details are to be consolidated in the next one month as the centres have to be spaced out in such a manner that the outlets are away from each other by a distance of a minimum of 10 kms.

"The selection process by the Government appointed committee headed by the Principal Secretary (Tourism) will be taken up after that and completed within 45 days. Construction will begin by September. We hope to commission the 250 centres in the first phase by March/April next year," the Planning Officer, U. V. Jose, told The Hindu .

The selection will be carried out based on availability of land, entrepreneurial background and professional qualification of the applicant as well as his/her experience in the hospitality industry. The emphasis will be on good financial background of the entrepreneurs.

The Perumbavoor-based Tourist Transit Network Pvt Ltd has sought permission to set up 26 centres and the St. Mary's Group for two centres in Kumily and Kottayam. C. A. Annie, who has come from Santa Cruz in Mumbai to submit an EIO for a centre at Amala Hills near Thrissur, said the centres were a long felt need for tourists and travellers. Wayside amenities had not improved despite the strides made in the tourism sector by the State, she added.

Facilities

All the centres will have a standardised design of Kerala architecture and uniform branding. Kerala Tourism is taking steps to claim copyright for the logo and design of Vazhiyoram to avoid duplication of the centres. Based on the facilities provided, the centres will be graded into three levels and rated as Class I, II and III.

A class I centre will need 20 cents of land and an investment of Rs. 25 lakhs. It will feature a restaurant that can accommodate 30 persons, apart from a floor area of 600 sq.ft., public telephone, Internet, four paid telephones and two bathrooms, urinal for gents and parking space for eight cars.

The restaurant in Class II will have the same facilities as in Class 1, two paid toilets, and parking space for at least four cars. It will come up over 20 cents of land, while the investment needed is Rs. 17.5 lakhs. The Class III centre, to come up over 10 cents of land at a cost of Rs. 12.5 lakhs, will feature a coffee shop of 300 sq.ft, two paid toilets, and parking space for at least two cars. All three classes will have a souvenir shop.

Appointment of employees will be left entirely to the discretion of the entrepreneur. Kerala Tourism will provide training to the staff through Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) and Foods Crafts Institute. The Government will also provide managerial support and technical guidance to the entrepreneurs. Periodic spot checks will be taken to ensure quality of service and facilities offered by each centre.

The State Bank of India has agreed in principle to provide loan at the interest of 8.75 per cent to the entrepreneurs. Kerala Tourism has already announced an investment subsidy of 25 per cent of the construction cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs. An additional incentive of Rs. 2 lakhs will be provided if pollution control facilities, rainwater harvesting, captive power generation are taken up, as well as for purchase of waste management equipments.

The project will be a role model for Kerala Tourism's much publicised facilitator role. According to the official, an exhibition of the A-Z needed in a Vazhiyoram unit right from building materials, kitchen utensils to furniture will be organised so that the entrepreneurs can select their requirements under one roof by striking bargains with the sellers. Co-branding with leading hotel groups in the country is one possibility the tourism authorities are looking into.

Already, it has been decided to promote the concept in domestic and international travel trade fairs and road shows.

Mr. Jose said the ultimate aim would be to ensure reservation through Internet so that tourists can travel without hassles through the length and breadth of the State.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section

Vazhiyoram centres likely to come up by March

16,820 litres of spirit seized from lorry

Chakka ITI to be made centre of excellence

Man found hanging

Around The City

In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Reader's Mail