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Akkulam, Veli to be hub of tourism development Tourism Trail

PROMOTING MICE TOURISM: An artist’s sketch of the proposed International Convention Centre Complex at Akkulam.

The idyllic tourist villages of Akkulam, Veli and adjoining areas along Kazhakuttam-Inchivila NH 47 bypass will soon become the hub of tourism development.

Although Veli and Akkulam had emerged as the favourite picnic spots among holidayers over the years, it will be the Rs.805-crore International Convention Centre Complex (ICCC) coming up near the Akkulam tourist village that is going to spur the touris m activities.

Coming up in 18.79 hectares on the side of the road connecting the village to bypass, it is the first of the five tourism projects being implemented on a public-private partnership basis in the State.

The decision to develop the Kazhakuttam-Kovalam bypass as ‘IT-Tourism corridor’ will also come in handy. The proximity to Technopark; the international airport, being developed to world-class standards on the Chaka side; and Kovalam will be the major advantages.

Structured as an institutional-cum-tourism infrastructure project with substantial leisure facilities, the ICCC is expected to alter the face of Akkulam and Veli. It is to provide a fillip to the growth of tourism in the capital, which receives 0.9 million tourists annually.

MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) tourism will get a fillip — not just in the city but also in the South — once the first phase of the ICCC is commissioned in 2011.

Chalet Hotels and Properties (Kerala) Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture between Kerala Tourism and Chalet Hotels Ltd, K. Raheja Corp, has been formed for setting up the ICCC. “It is a giant leap forward for the development of the capital and in the tourism sector. We hope the private stake-holder will commission the Rs.205 crore first phase within two years,” says Minister for Tourism and Home Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Singapore-based architectural firm SRSS has conceptualised and created the master plan. “It will be a green building. The project is being developed to leverage the site features to provide water-based recreation and innovative architecture using maximum frontage,” says Chief Operating Officer, Chalet Hotels, Ramnidhi Wasan.

Renowned Marriot Group of Hotels will manage the running of the ICCC. The convention and exhibition centre will have a plenary hall that can accommodate 1,500 persons, hi-tech hall, three meeting halls, eight meeting rooms and a VIP room. In addition to the 250-room five star hotel in the first phase, 25 luxurious poolside cottages, spa and gymnasium, marina, water sport facilities and retail area will be set up. The second phase will be taken up later.

The government has also decided to go for a public-private partnership initiative in the 7.69 hectares acquired by it close to Veli tourist village. The land was acquired over a decade ago for Kerala Tourism to set up an amusement park with the support of an Abu Dhabi-based firm. The project has now been shelved.

Already, the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment has decided to set up an Eco-Bio Wet Park at Akkulam. Coming up close to the District Tourism Development Corporation’s boating club, it will have a rock garden, traffic park, butterfly park and aqua garden. Sensing the huge potential, many leading hoteliers and developers have already launched projects in and around Akkulam.

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

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