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KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

A first for India: Kerala Tourism at the Westminster

Kerala's time-tested Ayurveda and the enchanting backwaters have wooed the British parliamentarians, in a first-time presentation by an Indian state tourism board at the Westminster.

Kerala Tourism made the presentation about the state for the British MPs, at a special meeting held in the British Parliament complex. The meeting was led by Mr. Jiji Thomson, Chief Secretary, Kerala and Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism Tourism who met the British MPs, including many Indian-origin members of the British Parliament. 

Mr. Thomson and Mr. Rao were in the British capital to take part in the 'Mayor of London' event to showcase 'God's Own Country' to a British audience. The cultural extravaganza, which had 'Mohiniyattam', 'Thiruvathirakali' and 'Kathakali' performances, was held at the iconic Trafalgar Square on the same day.

"It was an honour for Kerala to address the British MPs in the parliament complex," said Mr. Thomson.  "The MPs evinced great interest in Kerala and admired our top status on the global tourism map," he added.

"The Indian community members in Britain are the greatest ambassadors of our country," Mr. Thomson said, while inviting them to come and invest in Kerala's tourism sector.

"The engagement with the British parliamentarians was a major step in elevating our campaign to a much higher level of direct dialogue," said Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, who talked to the MPs about the varied destinations and new tourism products offered by Kerala.

"We will organise an exclusive meeting with British parliamentarians during the World Trade Mart in London next month," he added.

Kerala Tourism will take part in the WTM, London, the leading travel and tourism fair in the world attended last year by more than 50,000 participants and 5,000 exhibitors from 186 countries.