Govt Committed to Revival of Tourism, Minister Tells Stakeholders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas today assured the stake-holders in tourism that the government will unveil various projects focusing on the revival of the vital sector ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, including special marketing campaigns.

The Minister said that the government will closely work together with the industry with the aim of doubling the tourists’ arrival by 2025,” and hoped that 2022 will be turn out to be a “Covid-19 Free Tourism Year.”

“The government will implement all possible measures to ease the current problems being faced by the industry. Special marketing campaigns will be conducted once the second wave of of Covid-19 recedes,” Riyas said addressing a virtual meeting of representatives of 18 stakeholders in the tourism sector on Thursday.

The meeting was convened to elicit suggestions for revival of the industry that has been hit badly by the pandemic and work out plans for an impressive comeback.

The participants explained to the Minister how the pandemic had resulted in a severe setback for the entrepreneurs and all others engaged in the sector. They noted that unlike any other state, Kerala Government had provided total support and encouragement to the industry during the crisis.

The Minister told them that the urgent task will be promoting internal tourism and the arrivals from other states. “Apart from completing the present projects on a time-bound manner, two new heritage projects focusing on Ponnani and Aranmula will be planned and implemented quickly,” Riyas said.

“The roads to tourism centres will be developed and more tourism circuits will be formed by connecting destinations. Through the socially-committed Responsible Tourism, the benefits of tourism sector will be made available to more people. The government’s goal is to support the kind of tourism that brings benefits to entrepreneurs, tourists and local community alike,” the Minister pointed out.

Riyas urged the stakeholders to approach tourism sector with greater enthusiasm by taking the current crisis as an opportunity. He also assured that the government’s activities and projects will be based on giving a new fillip to the tourism sector.

Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism, V.R. Krishna Teja, Director, Tourism, and Biju BS, Dy. Director (Mktg) were also present.

Representatives from Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM), Association of Approved & Classified Hotels of Kerala (AACHK), Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Kerala Chapter, Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) Kerala Chapter, Kerala Houseboat Owners Federation, All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association, Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators, Kerala Homestay & Tourism Society (Kerala HATS), Homestay Owners Welfare Association Kerala (HOWAK), Kerala Hotels & Restaurants Association (KHRA), Kerala Ayurveda Promotion Society, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) South Chapter, CII Kerala Chapter – Tourism Committee, All Kerala Tourist Guides Association, Tourist Guides Federation of South India and Chairman of FICCI Kerala Tourism Committee attended.