KTM Calls for Comprehensive Development of Tourism Sector

KOCHI:
Welcoming the installation of the new state government led by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM) has sought its urgent attention to key issues concerning the tourism sector, including simplification of land conversion procedures and the improvement of public toilet infrastructure.

KTM Society President Jose Pradeep said tourism, which contributes significantly to the state’s GDP and revenue, deserves higher priority from the government. The sector benefits a wide range of stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, tourist guides, taxi operators, and autorickshaw drivers, while also generating substantial tax revenue for the state, he pointed out.

On infrastructure development, he observed that although road connectivity has improved, the lack of clean public toilets remains a major concern for tourists, especially along routes to destinations such as Munnar and Wayanad. It forces tourists to depend largely on hotels for such facilities.

Instead of going for micro projects across the State, mega tourism projects in each District, where tourism potential is there, may be envisaged and developed in line with the Muziris Heritage Project, Jatayu Earth Centre in Kollam, Sargalaya Craft Village in Vadakara etc.

He suggested that, on international lines, the government should promote public-private partnership (PPP) models to develop clean and well-maintained public toilets, including such facilities attached to petrol pumps and supermarkets.

One of the major bottlenecks in tourism development and private investment, he said, is the delay in land conversion procedures. Since any hotel or building project requires land conversion approval, the process often takes up to two years, creating a significant barrier to infrastructure development. This procedure, he stressed, must be made more transparent and time-efficient.

KTM Secretary S Swaminathan said the development of key tourism destinations must be taken up on an urgent basis. He pointed out the need for the renovation of Fort Kochi beach to attract more tourists. He also recalled earlier proposals such as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” statue and the cable car project connecting Fort Kochi to Bolgatty, stating that their implementation could significantly boost tourist inflow.

With regard to the world-famous Kovalam beach, he regretted that it is currently facing a decline in standards, along with its associated facilities, and requires immediate development. The chronic traffic congestion and poor condition of the Wayanad Ghat road must also be addressed promptly by the government, he added.

Noting that only about 40 per cent of the Rs 300–350 crore allocated for tourism is actually being spent on the sector, Shri Swaminathan said this practice of diverting tourism funds to projects of other departments for infrastructure development should be discontinued. Instead, he said, the funds should be exclusively used for tourism marketing, participation in national and international trade fairs, roadshows, and partnership meetings, which would help increase tourism revenue.

The KTM leadership expressed the hope that the new government would extend adequate support and funding for the upcoming Kerala Travel Mart in September this year.