New age tourism in Kerala
Seaplanes, water taxis and cruises to woo tourists AP Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Kerala spoke exclusively to about issues hindering Kerala tourism and revealed plans of the government to enhance tourism in the state.
How do you plan to solve the most-talk ed about problems of Kerala Tourism:
Hartals and Houseboat pollution?
Both of them are major issues affecting Kerala. Hartals cannot be eliminated completely in Kerala as the state is very politically sensitive. There are some sectors exempted from har
tals in Kerala like milk, newspapers and hospitals. We are trying to get a consensus to move tourism from the zone of
hartals too so that it doesn’t affect the tourists. Regarding houseboat pollution, we plan to coach, conduct workshops and create awareness for houseboat owners and workers to help reduce the contamination and pollution caused by houseboats. Kerala has been plagued majorly with cleanliness issues. Can the state overcome this issue?
We are aiming to be a ‘ waste free’ destination. For this, we will be starting a new campaign from October 2 in Kovalam. This campaign is targeted to improve knowledge and promote a clean Kerala. The campaign will later be extended to places like Munnar, Kumarakom and Alappuzha. We have identified 1,400 houses in Kovalam to start a bio gas plant. Also, the tourism department is spending ` 14 crore to solve the water supply problems in Kovalam. Kerala does not have much to offer to tourists during the time 7 pm to 11 pm.Is this a conscious decision?
Kerala has traditions and rich culture and we have our own limitations.
Bars, nightclubs and casinos are not our culture and will never be encouraged. However, to meet the growing demand of a night life, we will open a night halting centre in Alapuzha. This will benefit the night traveller and the centre will also house a cafeteria, shopping arcade and have some entertainment. But it will all be developed within our culture.
The state has a vast expanse of water. Any plans for further development?
We have not tapped our water bodies efficiently in the past. Now, we are looking at exploring it to the fullest. We are in talks with private parties to introduce seaplanes by February 2013. We will give these private bodies an exemption on fuel tax to start seaplanes. There are also plans to start water taxis and cruises from Cochin. Any plans to promote Kerala tourism in any new international market?
Yes, Australia and Middle East was tapped last year through our roadshows. This year, we plan to promote Kerala tourism in Russia. We are also in talks with some private parties to start charter flights from Russia. What is the way forward for Kerala Tourism?
The next five to six years will be crucial for Kerala Tourism. The government is keen on promoting the unknown and unexplored parts of North Kerala. Tourism activities in Kerala have been restricted from Trichur to Trivandrum, but we plan to extend it from Malappuram to Kannur. We have beautiful places in North like Wayanad, Bekal, Kannur and Kasaragod which has backwaters, beaches, hill stations and these products need to be highlighted. There will also be priority given for MICE events and Trivandrum and Calicut will soon have convention centres.