Showcasing 17 tourism projects at Emerging Kerala on Friday, Kerala tourism secretary Suman Billa said investors would be selected through a bidding process.
“We have put the estimates and anybody, including those from abroad, can bid for projects,” he said at the session on tourism. Investors were free to come with their own projects and the government decide, depending on their viability and eco-friendliness.
“Emerging Kerala is a beginning in terms of tourism projects and we have to scrutinize projects before deciding which to pursue,” he said.
Projects include Rs 150 cr resort and convention centre at Karapuzha in Wayanad, the sea plane project, hop-on hop-off boats at Kochi, water taxi service at Kumarakom, Fort Kochi-Thalassery heritage cruises, golf course and eco resort at Vagamon at Rs 120 cr, holistic health resort and spa at Nelliyampathy, laser light show at Punnamada.
Mr Amithabh Kant, who had played a key role in shaping Kerala tourism, said it was high time Kerala created a sub-brand and also stop rolling out more house boats into the saturated space where already 1,000 house boats were plying.
He said mass tourism would lead to garbage tourism.