The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Kerala Tourism eyeing Scandinavian countries

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Friday, Oct 23, 2009
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Tourism eyeing Scandinavian countries

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism is eyeing Scandinavian countries as part of efforts to tap new markets and increase the flow of foreign tourists.

Road shows to promote the destination and its tourism products come at a time when chartered flight operation to the State stand suspended. Tour operators are projecting a bleak season in view of the economic slump.

The State Tourism Department had roped in stake-holders in the industry to organise road shows in Scandinavian countries in the first week of November. Kerala Tourism Director M. Sivasankar will lead the delegation from the State.

The road shows are scheduled in Oslo (Norway) on November 2, Copenhagen (Denmark) on November 3, Helsinki (Finland) on November 4 and Stockholm (Sweden) on November 5. Kerala Tourism will also participate in the Wellness Fair at Stockholm. The department had organised a show in Stockholm last year. “The response from stake-holders is encouraging. As many as 15 trade representatives from the travel trade have confirmed participation,” a senior tourism official said.

The State will also be represented at the World Travel Market (WTM) scheduled in London from November 9 to 12. Kerala Tourism Secretary V. Venu is to lead a delegation to WTM. As many as 10 stake-holders have confirmed participation, sources said.

The State will have a separate stall outside the India Pavilion at WTM. This is expected to provide more visibility to the destination and more space for those displaying their tourism products.

The department had organised destination-promotion activities in Brussels and Rome.

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