Subsidy for private entrepreneurs in tourism sector: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 (UNI) Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said 10 per cent subsidy would be given to private entrepreneurs who invest in the tourism sector in the state.

However, the subsidy would be 15 per cent in the Malabar region, he said, inaugurating the Kerala Tourism Promotion Company, floated to take tourism to villages in the state.

Claiming that tourist inflow into the state had increased by 50 per cent, Mr Balakrishnan said a large number of them arrived in Wayanad. However, hotels were insufficient to accommodate all the tourists and the home-stay system would solve the problem to an extent.

The objective of the company was to give a new experience to the tourists by arranging accommodation in rural villages, ayurvedic treatment and serving traditional Kerala foods, he said.

It would also arrange various facilities like conducting tourism courses, awareness programmes and on-line booking, he added.

Mr Balakrishnan said to attract tourists from West Bengal, a Kerala Tourism Information Centre would be opened in that state. He had already held talks with his West Bengal counter part for this.

He said the state government was considering a proposal to start an air service from Kolkata to the state.

The centre has cleared spices tourism in Kaladi, he said and added farm tourism would also be encouraged.

UNI