Tourism News

New projects announced in Tourism industry stakeholders' meet

Various developmental activities, which would boost the industry, were announced in the Tourism Stakeholders' meet held at the Kovalam Guest House. The meeting discussed various development programmes in the industry. The Minister for Tourism Mr. K. C. Venugopal announced a drinking water scheme for the Kovalam- Chowara tourism corridor. He also said that the famed Samudra beach near the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation's resort would be beautified and developed. The beautification works would be carried out on the model of the renovation of Gandhi Park. Parking facilities will be increased and the total cost estimated is Rs. 6.6 million. A walkway connecting Samudra beach to the Grove Beach would also be considered.

More Tourism Police would be deployed in the beach resort, said Mr. K. C. Venugopal. Kiosks, public comfort stations and parking facilities would be constructed in the 30 cents land owned by the Vizhinjam Grama Panchayat near Rajiv Gandhi Convention Centre, the Minister said. The local Panchayat could submit an alternative proposal to the current Zero Waste Project if they have any, he added.

The drinking water scheme is included in the Capital City Development Programme and would be implemented in the Kovalam- Chowara tourism corridor. The Rs. 220 million project would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, treated water from the Vellayani Lake would be supplied to the beach resort and nearby places. The first phase would cost Rs. 120 million. In the second phase various other stretches including the Vizhinjam fishing hamlet would be included, said the minister.

The President of the local Panchayat, Panchayat members, and representatives of the Hotel and Restaurants Association also participated in the meeting. The Kerala Tourism team included the Principal Secretary of Tourism, Mr. E. K. Bharat Bhushan, Director of Tourism, Mr. B. Suman and Planning Officer, Mr. U. V. Jose.