Saturday, January 29, 2022
The Tourism department of Kerala will revamp a string of major destinations, including Bekkal, Thekkady, and Munnar, as part of its efforts to encourage and fortify the sector.
All-inclusive development plans will be prepared for some, while innovative and eco-friendly additions will be introduced at others. “At present, we are conducting destination reviews and interactions attended by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, higher officials, and industry stakeholders. Based on the issues and suggestions, a work plan will be prepared for all key destinations,” said a tourism official.
Kovalam, Varkala and Fort Kochi are among other destinations that will be reviewed and revamped as part of the ongoing process. “Since promoting domestic tourism is a priority, there is also a plan to bring tour operators from other States to see the revamped facilities,” the official added.
Besides focusing on traditional destinations, the department is also aiming to attract culture and heritage lovers from all over India. Besides sightseeing, packages that celebrate Kerala culture and history will be introduced for increasing the overall tourist experience.
Many panchayats have already identified local destinations following a directive from the department and they too will be considered while developing new tourist spots. Detailed plans will be formulated for each destination, and steps have been taken to accelerate ongoing works and explore the possibilities to ensure maximum comfort for visitors.
The department will alsocarry on regular training programmes for guides, taxi drivers, and others to make the destinations 100% tourist-friendly.
