Tourism News

Kerala, a key participant in U.K.'s tourism programmes

According to a statement by the Minister for Tourism, Mr. K. C. Venugopal, Kerala has been made a significant participant in U.K.?s tourism programmes. The agreement was reached at the high-level discussions held as part of the World Travel Market (WTM)-2004 in London. Major tour companies from across the globe have already evinced their keen interest in establishing ties with Kerala. Kerala?s participation in the event has ushered a new chapter in the State?s tourism scenario.

Kerala had the biggest contingent from any state in India with 9 private sector trade participants along with the Department of Tourism. A 20-member delegation comprising Mr. T. O. Sooraj, Director, Kerala Tourism, Mr. M. N. Gunavardhanan, Managing Director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and private entrepreneurs attended this year?s World Tourism Market in London. The team led by the Minister for Tourism, Mr. K. C. Venugopal, held talks with the editors of leading international publications such as The National Geographic, C. N. N. Traveller, Vanity Fair, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Financial Times, Travel and Leisure etc, and leading travel writers such as Guy Mansell, Christine Roberts, Robin Mead and David Pauline. The State?s attractions were showcased before U.K.?s top journalists and tour companies at Vogue House, London.

Kerala Tourism had set up a Kerala Mini Pavilion of 45 sq. mt within the India Tourism pavilion. The pavilion was designed on the new Kerala tourism theme campaign ? ?Life in a New Light?. Well-designed Kerala Tourism information kits consisting of brochures, folders and CDs were made available at the counter of the pavilion. Souvenirs like spice kits were a great attraction for the pavilion visitors. A plasma screen was also put up near the information counter and the films ?Water Colours By God?, ?Temple of Healing? and corporate and product films/presentations of the co-participants were continuously screened.

Kerala Tourism also entered into a unique partnership with the world?s leading travel publication ?Conde Nast Traveller? at the World Travel Market this year. This is for the first time in the history of Indian tourism that an Indian destination?s presentation is co-hosted by ?Conde Nast Traveller?. The event was held in the historic conference of the Vogue House, London. Mr. K. C Venugopal, Minister for Tourism, Mr. T. O. Sooraj, Director, Tourism and the trade participants from Kerala attended the event. Ms. Sarah Miller, Chief Editor of ?Conde Nast Traveller? was also present at the function along with Ms. Kate Lowe, the Publisher of the magazine. Ms. Kate Lowe?s welcome note was followed by Mr. Venugopal?s presidential address and Mr. Sooraj?s presentation on Kerala. Mr. Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, India Tourism was a special invitee to the event along with Mr. Vinay Angre, Director, Govt. of India Tourist Office, London.