Speaking to reporters after a roadshow to promote Kerala in the City, V Venu, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Kerala said the five destinations set for dedicated masterplans are Munnar, Kovalam, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Wynad.
“The Department is not a regulatory body. The responsibility of checking the impact of development on the environment rests with the panchayats. Through the masterplans, we’ll only study the growth trends in the destinations and suggest caps. We’ll work with the local bodies in ensuring that development is under check,” he said.
Venu said the branding and standardisation procedure, under which quality standards are ensured in ayurveda centres, houseboats and home stays was also part of the department’s efforts to help the tourists keep substandard service providers at bay.
Detailing the State’s plans to nurture responsible tourism practices and tourism that also benefits local communities, the Tourism Secretary said that the department was working along with panchayats to set up Self Help Groups, that can supply manpower for tourism jobs.
Adding a dash of quintessential Kerala to the roadshow were brief performances of Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Thiruvathira kali and Kalaripayattu. Around 35 partners of Kerala Tourism, who were also part of the delegation, exchanged ideas on trade collaboration with the local industry players.
BANGALORE CONNECTS
“Bangalore professionals who take up work vacations are a critical customer base for us. They are the spine of our summer movement, between April and October,” said Venu. Sanjay Kaul, Director, Kerala Tourism, said with the rise in the number of budget airlines, Bangalore’s IT professionals with high disposable incomes were becoming more critical to Kerala tourism.
Venu added that the Dream Season programme, launched in April this year, was luring in tourists during the traditional April-September off season. Popularisation of lesser-known destinations including Gavi in Thekkady and Tholpetty in Wyanad is also being taken up. For details, log on to www.keralatourism.org
