Kerala, fondly called the ‘God’s own country’ has ample reasons to cheer about in the coming days thanks to the various proposals that came up for discussion during Emerging Kerala, a high profile investor’s meet that was held in the business capital of Cochin from Sept 12-14th. The meeting attracted a host of business magnates, entrepreneurs, financial experts and intellectuals from within and outside the country to the happening destination of Kerala.
Kerala has many ‘firsts ‘to its credit that takes it into the league of some of the most developed countries in the world. From superior health care facilities to 100% literacy and an impressive per capita index, Kerala has it all and more to make it well poised to make a quantum jump to the next phase of development.
Kerala has always basked under the glory of some of the most famous tourist destinations that has earned it a place in the coveted list of the 50 destinations of a lifetime in the world, compiled be National geographic channel. Kerala has carved a niche on it own in the world tourist map or its impressive credentials
During the 3 day investors meet of ‘Emerging Kerala’ various proposals came up for discussion and these will go a long way in boosting the tourism potential of the state in particular and the hotels, house boats, ayurveda and the various complementary categories in general .
Some of the projects that would be implemented include the following
Hotel industry
Hotels and restaurants classified by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, will now be eligible for a State investment subsidy of a maximum of Rs.10 lakh apart from an added incentive of 5 lakhs rupees maximum for effective pollution control measures.
Vazhiyoram
This innovative project is envisaged to provide rest rooms, mini shopping avenues, restaurants and paid toilets among others for the travelers along the main roads and high ways. Road side petrol bunks or restaurants or entrepreneurs who own 10-20 cents of land along any major road can become part of this project.
Farm Tourism
Plans were mooted to cash in on the potential of farm tourism in the State by making use of about 3,50,000 lakh hectares of paddy fields, which could be made tourist attractions where the tourists can get actively involved in the traditional farming and harvesting procedures. The benefits derived out of this would be passed over to the farmers. Kerala Tourism has also launched a venture called Green Farms Kerala, which helps in preparing the farms/plantations in the State to receive tourists.
Houseboats
Backwater tourism is one of the major attractions in any Kerala holiday calendar, which is not only popular among foreign tourists but has also gone down well with domestic tourists as well. In a bid to ensure safe and enjoyable cruise experiences, the state government has made it mandatory for all house boats to have licenses. Special police patrol units have been set up in Alappuzha and Kumarakom backwaters to conduct regular inspections and to make sure that the policies are complied with.
The Kerala tourism sector is a precious foreign exchange earner for the State exchequer that attracts an annual investment of about Rs 1000 crore and generates employment to over 10 lakh people both directly and indirectly. These innovative steps would surely augment the tourism prospects of the State in the days ahead.
