Minister Lays Foundation for Tourism Bhavan; Launches Work on Additional Block

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran today laid the foundation for the Rs. 37.5 Cr Tourism Bhavan to be built in the premises of the State Guest House, Thycaud in the city.

The Minister also launched the work on Rs. 22.5 Cr project to build an Additional Block at the State Guest House besides carrying out massive renovation on the existing building at a function here.

Surendran also presented the ISO Certification secured by four government guest houses and their restaurants. These are the Government guest houses at Ernakulam, Kollam, Kannur and Sulthan Bathery.

The Tourism Bhavan will bring under one roof offices of all subsidiary wings of the Tourism Department. The Tourism Bhavan will accommodate offices of Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL), Eco Tourism Directorate, Food Craft Institute Directorate, Thenmala Eco Tourism Promotion Society and other agencies.

The certification for guest houses and Yatri Nivas is provided by NABCB, as the accredited agency of the Quality Council of India, after a thorough scrutiny of all aspects of their quality and services.

Surendran said the state is aiming at securing ISO certification for all government guest houses by improving their facilities and quality of service to match them world standards by March 15th this year. All the guest houses have completed the necessary formalities by improving their facilities and quality of service to match them with national standards and are awaiting the final audit teams visit, he added.

The renovation works at Thycaud Guest House will include construction of world class rest rooms, state-of-the-art electrification and lighting, interior designs, better air conditioning and landscaping.

V S Sivakumar MLA presided over the function, which was attended by Madhavadas, Councilor. K G Mohanlal, CMD KTIL, T R Jayapal, Director Food Craft Institute were also present at the function.

Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism welcomed the gathering, while P Bala Kiran, Director Tourism, presented the project report. M Raghudasan, Additional Director -Hospitality, Dept of Tourism proposed the vote of thanks.