THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala Tourism’s portfolio of impressive awards and accolades got more spectacular as the state’s famed hill station Munnar was adjudged the First Runner Up in Mountain Destinations category in a nationwide poll conducted for the India Today Tourism Award.
Accepting the award at a function that took place as an online event yesterday, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said Kerala Tourism, as a global brand, has won many national and international accolades during its long journey. Noting that Kerala Tourism has scrupulously followed the sustainable development model for its tourism sector, the minister said Munnar, known for its unspoilt beauty and refreshing ambience, is the best example of this.
Barely days ago, Kerala Tourism’s internationally-acclaimed ‘Human by Nature’ campaign had bagged the prestigious PATA Grand Award 2020 for Marketing at a virtual function in Beijing.
“This India Today Tourism award for Kerala has come at the most opportune moment when the state is charting out the future course of its tourism and travel industry, being devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition will certainly encourage the partners of tourism in the state,” he pointed out in his video message.
The awards, decided through a nationwide poll for choosing India’s Favourite Destinations, were presented as part of the India Today Tourism Conclave, where major stakeholders of Indian tourism industry converged to virtually deliberate on the post-pandemic course of this vital sector.
Surendran said the damage inflicted by the unprecedented health crisis is grim, but the state government is determined to revive tourism. “The government has already announced a massive financial package of Rs 455 crore for the revival of tourism. The entire spectrum of tourism down to local communities will benefit from this package.”
“Kerala has bounced back from crippling natural disasters in the past like the 2018 floods that battered vast swathes of land, including tourism spots. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is far more constricting. Still, we will overcome this testing and trying phase too and get back to the path of fast recovery and growth,” he asserted.
“Much credit for preserving the natural allurement of this hill station goes to the industry stakeholders. Local community too is to be patted for guarding against degradation of nature. This is true of other destinations in the state as well, whether it is a hill station, backwater hub or seaside resort,” he added.
