The Hindu : Business : State set to record world's highest tourism growth

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Saturday, Sep 30, 2006
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State set to record world's highest tourism growth

Staff Reporter

State received Rs.7793 crore as revenue from tourism in 2005

KOCHI: The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has forecast that Kerala will record 11.6 per cent annual growth in tourism during the coming decade, the highest in the world for any tourism destination.

This was disclosed by Kerala Tourism Department Principal Secretary E.K. Bharat Bhushan at the ongoing fourth Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) on Friday. "Turkey is at second place and is expected to record an increase of 10.2 per cent. The foreign tourist inflow to Kerala increased by 13 per cent every year, during the past five years and that of domestic tourists by three per cent. The first six months of the year saw a 34 per cent increase in arrival of foreign tourists and seven per cent in the case of domestic tourists. This is an all-time record, thanks to the promotion of monsoon tourism. Thus, there was no lean period during the first half of the year," he said.

The WTTC had, a year ago, chosen Kerala along with Greece and Mexico as tourism destinations, which held a lot of potential. In 2005, the State received Rs.7793 crore as revenue from tourism. Of this, Rs.1500 crore came as foreign exchange.

The sector provides employment to 10 lakh people in the State. With home stays becoming a hit, retired people too have ventured into the field. Kerala, where high-end tourism is being promoted, has become the destination for leisure travellers, he said.

Speaking about the response to the KTM, he said innovative products like home and farm stays have boosted the tourism prospects of the State. At the Mart, Kerala Tourism signed an MoU with SriLankan Airlines, under which passengers bound for Kerala would be given discounts and incentives by the airline and establishments across the State. This includes offers on hotels, shopping and therapeutic packages.

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