Shortage of hotel rooms ''looming large'' over Kerala

Kochi, Sep 28 (UNI) A shortage of hotel rooms is ''looming large over Kerala'' and the state government should create an ''enabling environment'' for an increase in tourist accommodation, Mr Jose Dominic, president, Kerala Travel Mart Society, said today.

Talking to reporters on the opening day of the three-day Kerala Travel Mart 2006 here, Mr Dominic said that there were about 200 approved and classified hotels in Kerala, offering about 4,000 rooms.

With a projected annual increase of 13 per cent in tourist arrivals to the state, there should be an increase of at least 1,000 rooms every year. ''This is a big challenge,'' he said.

Stating that the ''Kerala model of tourism'' was driven not by big corporates or brand names but by local entrepreneurs putting up facilities on a small scale, Mr Dominic said for this reason homestays was a good option to bridge the gap in the demand and supply of tourist accommodation.

At present, there were about 650 homestays, with an average of two rooms each. Their number is registering an increase of almost 20 per cent every year, he added.

Even at KTM 2006, the almost 70 per cent increase in table capacity was due to first time participants, who were homestay owners.

In fact, homestays and farmstays were among the new tourism products being promoted at KTM 2006.

Talking of wedding and honeymoon holidays, Mr Dominic said there was a big potential in this segment and Kerala, being an exotic, safe, clean and small and intimate place, was ideal to be developed as a major honeymoon destination.

Asked about the areas of interest of first time buyer delegations from Japan and South America, Mr Dominic said while the Japanese were taking an interest in products showcasing India's ancient mystic and spiritual heritage, the South Americans were looking for an alternative to the popular destinations such as Malaysia, Thailand and Bali in Asia.

A total of 234 stalls, 50 tables and 18 houseboats are on display at the KTM 2006, which is being attended by nearly 700 Indian and overseas buyers.

UNI ARC DK1732