In tune with the government’s policy guideline to target 15 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals annually, a host of projects ranging from adventure sport enclaves to sea planes and heritage cruises have been showcased for the Emerging Kerala meet.
Two controversial projects --- the holistic health resort in Nelliyampathy and the golf course in Vagamon, have not been withdrawn despite pressure from the opposition and even from some quarters in the UDF.
While the adventure sports enclave in Muzhappilangad promises facilities for paragliding, parasailing and hot air ballooning, the sea plane service is proposed between Thiruvananthapuram-Ashtamudi-Punnamada-Kochi-Munnar. Another interesting project is water taxies in Alappuzha, Kumarakom and Kochi.
There is also a proposal for an inland water luxury cruise between Kollam and Kottapuram, eco camp sites in Kakkayam, eco resort and convention centre at Karappuzha, heritage ropeway in Munnar and heritage cruises in Thalassery and Fort Kochi.
Meanwhile, industry leaders warned that showcasing projects alone would not help. “All efforts can come to nought if the government ignores waste management and continues to fail to ensure good, motorable roads,” said Riaz Ahmed, president, Kerala Travel Mart.
He said that the state was of late facing tough competition from destinations like Kashmir and Sri Lanka.
Destinations like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have also gone up in popularity due to the availability of cheap flights.
Governments in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are hot on the heels of Kerala by developing beach and mountain destinations.
Ahmed pointed out that high taxes could play spoilsport in the efforts. “We are charging as much as 32 per cent tax on international conferences. There is every chance that such meets would move out to cheaper destinations,” he said.
According to the tourism department data, 7.32 lakh international tourists visited the state in 2011 as against 6.5 lakh in 2010 and they brought in foreign exchange worth Rs 4,500 crore.
But the number of tourists constituted just 0.07 per cent of the total international tourists. The number of domestic tourists stood at around 93 lakh in 2011 as against 85 lakh in 2010.