The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : 15 p.c. subsidy for tourism investments in Malabar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 12, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

15 p.c. subsidy for tourism investments in Malabar

Staff Reporter

Minister says decision will help in creating infrastructure

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said the Government will provide 15 per cent subsidy for all investments made in the tourism sector in Malabar region.

Inaugurating the activities of Tourism Promotion Kerala Ltd. at Hotel Mascot here on Thursday, the Minister said the decision would help in creating the requisite infrastructure facilities needed for tourists in the northern districts and in attracting more tourists to the region.

The Government was already providing 10 per cent subsidy for investments in the tourism sector. Assuring all assistance for those coming forward to invest in the sector, Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government would tap all avenues for the development of tourism. The State witnessed 50 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the last six months compared to the previous year. He said Wayanad recorded 200 per cent increase in tourist arrivals. The lack of adequate rooms was the main hurdle faced by the tourism authorities. While 18,000 rooms were needed in the State during the peak tourism season, the State had only 7,000 rooms.

Kerala would try to establish a tie-up with other States for attracting tourists. The State would establish an Information Centre of Kerala Tourism in Kolkatta and that of West Bengal in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government would convene a meeting with the help of Union Tourism Ministry in New Delhi to seek ways to increase charter services to Kerala and to improve air connectivity to the State.

Stating that Spice Tourism was given the sanction, the Minister said coordination of Culture, Electricity, Irrigation and Forest Departments was being sought to promote tourism.

At the function, Minister for Education M.A. Baby inaugurated the tourism portal www. keralatour.org. Chairman of KTDC Cherian Philip, cine actor Murali and Chief Executive Officer of the company S. Radhakrishna Pillai spoke.

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