— Photo: S. Mahinsha

FIRST STEP TOWARDS HELI-TOURISM: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director K.G. Mohanlal and Deccan Aviation Executive Director Jayanth Poovaiah, exchanging an MOU to commence helicopter services to major tourist destinations within the State on Wednesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Deccan Aviation to commence helicopter services linking major tourist destinations in the State.

The MoU was signed by KTDC Managing Director K. G. Mohanlal and Deccan Aviation Executive Director Jayanth Poovaiah at Hotel Mascot, the flagship property of the KTDC, here.

The heli-tourism product is a new initiative by the State-owned KTDC, which is the largest service provider, to enable tourists to travel from one destination to another with the double benefit of cutting down on travel time while enjoying a bird's eye-view of the unique beauty of the State.

Mr. Mohanlal said the KTDC had launched a seven nights /eight days package connecting Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to begin the service.

The KTDC's premium properties Hotel Samudra, Kovalam; Waterscapes & Houseboat Kumarakom; Lake Palace, Thekkady; Tea County, Munnar, and Bolgatty Palace, Kochi figure in the package. The package costs Rs.5 lakh, which includes helicopter charges, local transport, food and accommodation for five persons.

The 30-minute "Bird's eye view" package that covers beach, backwater, hill station for five people would cost Rs.35,000.

The service would be available at the five locations depending on the availability of the helicopter.

Capt. Poovaiah said the helicopter of Deccan Aviation that has been stationed at Thiruvananthapuram airport could accommodate up to five passengers. The bookings to helicopter service could be done through KTDC's Central Reservation as well as through its premium resorts.

Central funds sought

Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who was the chief guest at the function, said the State had requested the Union Government to allocate Rs.10 crore for creating infrastructure facilities to commence helicopter and seaplane services linking the tourist destinations in the State.

The Minister said Kannur district witnessed 200 per cent increase and Thrissur and Wayanad 47 per cent increase in tourist arrival during the last three months. Lack of accessibility was a major problem faced by the State, he said.

Mr. Balakrishnan said although the State needed 16,000 hotel rooms to cater to the needs of tourists during the peak season, it had only 6,000 hotel rooms.

The State needed heavy investment in the sector, he said.

KTDC Chairman Cherian Philip, Tourism Principal Secretary E. K. Bharat Bhushan, Tourism Director B. Suman and KTDC Secretary P. Sreekumar were among those who spoke at the function.

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