Kerala to give more thrust to tourism development: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 6 (UNI) Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today told the Assembly the government was planning to constitute a 'Infrastructure Finance Development Corporation', creating basic facilities for promotion of tourism in the state.

The government would never encourage tourism projects that affected the environment, he said, while replying to questions by V Chenthamarakshan and others and asserted it would take stern action against encroachers.

Stating that shortage of accommodation facilities was the main problem faced by the state, he said the state only had one facility to provide 8,000 rooms against the current requirement of about 20,000 rooms. To meet this, the government would encourage home-stay.

However, the government would introduce a new 'home-stay policy' soon in the state to prevent its misuse, he added.

Mr Balakrishnan said the government was expecting more investment in the tourism sector. It would give all encouragement to those who worked in this field and were interested to invest in the sector.

Referring to accidents in house-boats, he said the government was planning to introduce strict security guidelines to house boats.

The Tourism Minister said a project was being prepared for modernisation of Malampuzha gardens in Palakkad district and was also implementing a tourism master plan for Wayanad district alone.

UNI