Tourism News

Kerala and Rajasthan turn a new leaf in tourism promotion

At a function held at Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, the Tourism Department of Rajasthan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala as the partner state for joint promotion of tourism activities at the national level.

The MoU was signed by Tourism Secretary Mr. T. Balakrishnan and his Rajasthan counterpart Mr. Aravind Mayaram, in the presence of Tourism Minister, Prof. K. V. Thomas. Delivering his presidential address, the Tourism Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas said that the State Government had urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to introduce Jaipur-Thiruvananthapuram flight via Goa to facilitate high-end tourists to see the best of India. Preliminary discussions were already held with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in this regard, the minister added. 

Speaking on the occasion, Rajasthan Tourism Secretary, Mr. Aravind Mayaram expressed willingness to extend the prestigious ?Palace on Wheels? train, during their off season to Kerala, pending clearance from the Railway authorities. 

Addressing the gathering, Tourism Secretary, Mr. T. Balakrishnan said that, both states need to compliment each other through individual tourism assets and should become role models for tourism growth in India. The Tourism Director, Mr. Alkesh Kumar Sharma, emphasized the need for the two leading tourism states in India to jointly promote each other?s tourism specialities for mutual benefit and growth. 

The MoU envisages a partnership initiative in which both the States will collaborate for joint marketing and publicity of tourism products. The two States will also endeavour for joint participation in international events and road shows. As per the agreement, both the States will formulate joint packaging of complementary tourism products thus providing the ?Best of India experience? to the discerning tourists. The departments will strive for agreements with foreign and domestic airlines for direct connectivity between Kerala and Rajasthan. The States will also cooperate in designing innovative products including rail-based projects covering Kerala and Rajasthan. 

Tourism Director, Mr. Alkesh Kumar Sharma welcomed the audience, while Rajasthan Tourism Commissioner Mr. Rajiv Swarup offered felicitations.