THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Adding to its bouquet of new products, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) today launched Premium Life Membership and Institutional Membership cards for individuals and institutions, offering seven nights’ free stay in a year in any of its hotels and substantial discounts on all facilities including food and beverages.
State Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac inaugurated the scheme, in the presence of Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, at a function here. The inaugural Premium Life Membership Card was handed over to Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman and Managing Director, Eram Group, by Surendran.
“This is a novel scheme which will help KTDC achieve self-reliance and it also comes as a good model for other Public Sector Undertakings in Kerala ”, Dr Isaac said. “The most ideal feature of KTDC properties is that they guarantee a homely feel for the visitors coming to stay at them”, Surenderan said. He also said administrative sanction had been given to a large number of tourism projects across the state, including Rs 125 crore worth of schemes in the state capital.
KTDC Chairman M Vijayakumar said as the flag-bearer of tourism in the state, the corporation has formulated various new schemes to tap the huge potential of the vital sector. Rani George, Secretary Tourism, Government of Kerala, was present on the occasion.
Elaborating on the salient features of the scheme, KTDC Managing Director Rahul R , said the fee for premium life-long membership ,‘KTDC Elite Ensemble’, is fixed at Rs10 lakh and that of the institutional membership, ‘KTDC Corporate Collective’, at Rs 15 lakh for three years, both inclusive of taxes. This membership has single transferability to the spouse at the demise of the member.
Institutional members can hold their membership for a period of three years from the date of registering. The institutional membership is non-transferrable. Vice-president Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATA), E M Najeeb and Raj mohan, Marketing Manager, KTDC, were also present. The boat crew who plunged into rescue operations during the recent floods were presented appreciation certificates and cash awards for their service at the function.
