Kerala will be the most favoured tourism destination: Soni

Kochi, Sep 27 (UNI) Exuding confidence in the tourism potential of Kerala, Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni today said the state would be the most favoured destination for world wide tourists in the near future.

Addressing a cultural gathering here, Ms Soni said the Union Ministry had spent about Rs 200 crore for marketing Indian tourism internationally and domestically, and Kerala was promoted as the number one state.

She said the state had high potential to become the most favoured tourist destination with its backwaters, beaches and the stress on eco-tourism.

The development in this sector would be phenomenal in future and would generate ample employment for young people in the state, she noted.

She said the state with the highest human development index was known for its peculiar and unprecedented socio-economic changes.

Stressing the importance of environment, Ms Soni said it should be protected at any cost and the issue should be taken by people across the political spectrum.

Private-public partnership would be sought to strengthen and revive the traditional culture of the country, she added.

The Minister was attending a function organised by the cultural wing of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in which poet and activist Sugathakumari was honoured with the first Panampilly Prathibha Award.

UNI MA VV DKS RK2055