Kerala, Kuttikkanam : Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal said that the government is implementing projects aimed at a big jump in the tourism sector. The minister was inaugurating the ‘ World Desires Kerala ‘ Vision 2031 State-level Tourism Seminar organized at Marian College, Kuttikkanam. Tourism is given great importance in the budget. Kerala has great potential in sectors such as heli tourism , health tourism , beach tourism , MICE tourism , destination wedding , pilgrim tourism. Tourism experiences available anywhere in the world can also be found in Kerala. There is a huge increase in the number of domestic tourists. 12 percent of the GDP is received from the tourism sector. Kerala receives more than Rs. 55,000 crore from domestic tourism. Local resorts are of great importance in Kerala. Developing more public spaces will also strengthen the tourism sector. The development of public spaces offers great potential in the tourism sector. The minister said that there is a need to provide infrastructure like flyovers and good roads in areas like Munnar and Wayanad and that the government is acting as a facilitator in the tourism sector. Tourism Minister P.A. Muhammad Riyaz presented the policy document.
The minister said that Idukki has received the highest number of foreign tourists after Covid. Efforts are being made to make the tourism sector a major industry in the state. After Covid, Kerala has surpassed the national average in the number of foreign tourists. Munnar has achieved a record in the number of domestic and foreign tourists. He said that the Vision 2031 Tourism Seminar will contribute to the future of tourism and while presenting the tourism projects in the policy document, he said. The future of Kerala is tourism and every citizen should become the brand ambassadors of tourism.
Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine, who presided over the ceremony, said that the government has been able to implement an imaginative action plan in the tourism sector. A unique and innovative tourism policy has been implemented. It has achieved impressive growth among the countries of the world. The growth in the tourism sector has also paved the way for a GDP jump. The minister also said that the tourism seminar discussing tourism development in 2031 will boost the tourism potential of Idukki district. Tourism Secretary K. Biju presented the development achievements in the tourism sector in the last 9 years.
The inaugural session was attended by A. Raja MLA, District Panchayat President Rarichan Neeranakunnel, Vice President Usha Kumari, Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited Chairman S. K. Sajeesh, District Tourism Promotion Council Member C. V. Varghese, Director of Tourism Department Shikha Surendran, Additional Director of Tourism Department Sreedhanya Suresh, Additional District Magistrate Shyju P. Jacob, Deputy Director of Tourism Department K. S. Shine and others.
