Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

KTDC launches budget packages

Photo: C. Ratheesh kumar

Easy on the pocket: Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurating the budget holiday packages of KTDC in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Hotels and Resorts should try to establish itself in tourism areas where the private sector has strong presence or monopoly, Minister for Tourism and Home Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.

This will facilitate cooperation of the private and public sectors for the area’s tourism development, the Minister said while launching ‘Discover Kerala,’ budget holiday packages of the KTDC, at the Mascot convention centre here on Monday. “The combined efforts of the private and public sector can do wonders,” he added.

Pointing out that private sector hotel chains are striving to capitalise on the development of Bekal by setting up resorts, Mr. Balakrishnan said the KTDC too should do the same. “The proposal will be considered once the KTDC submits it. The government is in favour of the KTDC setting up a resort in Muzhappilangad,” he said. The government is for equal role for the private and public sector in developing tourism. The KTDC has shown that public sector can compete with the private sector. The State-owned corporation has now emerged as the largest hotel chain the country, the Minister said. The budget holiday packages introduced by KTDC are aimed at attracting local people. “The concept that tourism is for the affluent should change. Tourism in the State will not go forward with foreign visitors alone,” he said. Kerala’s tourism sector could overcome the impact of the global economic crisis only due to the increase in domestic arrivals.

“Discover Kerala’ is aimed at encouraging the new generation to discover the beauty and culture of the State. The packages, ‘Utharayanam,’ ‘Dakshinayanam’ and ‘Sundara Keralam,’ range from seven nights/eight days to 11 nights/12 days.

The holiday packages have been worked out linking the 14 Tamarind Easy hotels and six economy hotels across the State functioning under the KTDC. The packages will be valid till September 2011.

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