Kerala to constitute Tourism Finance Corporation

Kochi, Oct 20 (UNI) To give a boost to tourism-related infrastructure, Kerala will constitute a state Tourism Finance Corporation, State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said here today.

Inaugurating the fifth India International Boat Show (IIBS), 2006 he said the Corporation would be set up to attract investments, including from the private sector, for tourism infrastructure.

'Good roads, tourist amenities at tourist spots and comfortable hotels are a must for promoting tourism. The government will formulate a special scheme to develop these,' he said.

The state government was keen to fully utilise the coastline and waterways to develop boating, Mr Balakrishnan said, adding the Manjeswaram-Kollam waterway would be developed as a key attraction.

A seaplane service would be introduced along the lines of the helicopter service launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation in collaboration with Deccan Airways to provide speedy transportation and aerial viewing for tourists, he said.

Talking of the 'Clean Kerala' campaign launched recently, the Minister said waste and sewage disposal facilities provided at the 'Model Tourism Village', Kumbhalangi, would be replicated at other tourist sites also.

Earlier, Principal Secretary, Tourism, E K Bharat Bhushan said Kerala with its 44 rivers, 560 km long beachline and 900 km backwaters, could develop water-based tourism in a big way. This would also help promote the traditional boat building industry in the state, which had a strong seafaring tradition, he said.

He said 63 exhibitors were participating in the fifth IIBS, including ten from abroad. There had been a 30 per cent increase in exhibition space this time compared to last year.

The participation of exhibitors like British Marine Federation, GulfCraft, G C Marines and Art Marine from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were testimony to IIBS' growing popularity. Among the highlights of IIBS 2006 would be the arrival of the Vasco da Gama Yacht Rally from Turkey to the Bolghatty Island here tomorrow. A seminar on the 'Potential of Marine Tourism in India' would be a part of the three-day show.

Kerala Tourism Director B Suman said Kochi, which lay between the two international leisure boating hubs of Dubai and Singapore, had tremendous potential to promote boating tourism.

'There can be a 20 to 25 per cent increase in Kerala's tourist economy if this sector is developed,' he added.

Stating the IIBS was 'evolving' with the years, Mr Suman said a special spotlight would be on the traditional boating sector of Kerala and indigenous boat building equipment.

Nearly 400 buyers from India and abroad, including key markets such as Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai were expected to attend the show.

Also present on the occasion were MLAs K V Thomas and Dinesh Mani and KTDC Chairman Cherian Phillip.

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