Kerala launches virtual tour guide for Malabar
TRIVANDRUM: The southern Indian state of Kerala has launched a virtual tour guide or VTG for Malabar ahead of the opening of Kannur International Airport next month.
Though Lonely Planet had last year listed northern Kerala as the third best destination in Asia for holidaymakers to visit in the year, footfalls were low due to lack of air connectivity.
With major international airlines EVINCING Interest In lying to THE BRAND new airport here, authorities expect a spurt in visitors to the region.
SMILE VTG links tourists with their places of attraction and providers of experiential services. The airport is set to open for commercial flights on Dec.9. The package has got its acronym from Small and Medium Industries Leveraging Experiential Tourism, promoted by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).
“We have created a string of homestays and other alternative accommodation facilities for tourists who want to have an entirely refreshing experience,” said TK Manzoor, managing director of the BRDC, a state government enterprise.
“The high-tech digital facility provides visitors with all details about the experiential and service packages offered in the region known as the land of looms and lores. We have created facilities to accommodate 300 more tourists under this project.”
He said many non-resident Indians (NRI) from the region working in the Gulf are already part of the network that Helps ind Employment BACK Home once they return.
The BRDC focuses on eco-friendly and experiential tourism, and the SMILE guide renders information on 40 attractions in Malabar.
They include Arakkal Palace, Bekal Fort, the 1862-founded Brennen College, Neeleswaram Palace, the MADAYIPARA lat-topped Hillock, THE 1505-build Kannur fort, Dharmadom Island, Tejaswini river (adventure rafting), Puralimala hill station, Overbury’s Folly seaside park and Pusadigumpe hillock.
It Helps plan tours AND ixes reminder Alarm notiication, BESIDES providing means to SHARE portal material, ind accommodation and book rooms.
It also has helpline numbers for women and ambulance service.