The Hindu : National : Kerala tourism not hit by terror threats: official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Kerala tourism not hit by terror threats: official

Staff Reporter

Big turnout expected during Volvo Ocean Race stopover at Kochi

Kolkata: Tourist bookings in Kerala have not been impacted by the recent terrorist threats, according to the State’s Tourism Director M. Sivasankar.

He said it had so far beaten the global recessionary trends and enquiries and bookings continued at an increased pace. He hoped for a big tourist turnout during the 2008 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race when Kochi will be Asia’s only stopover port.

Mr. Sivasankar who was here to promote his products, was however disappointed with tourist arrivals from West Bengal. Tourist output from West Bengal to Kerala was just around three lakh in 2007 when the State received 66 lakh domestic tourists. He said arrivals remained low despite improved connectivity and better offers.

Addressing a press conference, he said: “We have organised a roadshow in Kolkata to popularise our ‘dream season’ offer and attract more tourists from this part of the country.” The ‘dream season’ offer, launched in April 2007, is targeted at the domestic holidaymakers during the traditional off-season (April-September).

He said Kerala Tourism offered packages suitable for all income-classes and refuted the idea that it catered only to a niche international clientele.

He claimed that tourism comprised more than 50 per cent of the State’s gross domestic output (GDP) from the service sector and the total revenue during 2007 was Rs. 11433 crore, a 25.28 per cent increase over 2006.

Mr. Sivasankar said: “Kerala Tourism is developing several innovative programmes like rural tourism, eco-tourism and Grand Kerala Shopping Festival to lure both domestic and foreign tourists.”

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

National