Dubai: Grand Kerala shopping festive charms tourists

Dubai, May 5: Kerala, the God's own country, inspired by the remarkable success of Dubai Shopping Festival, has adopted in good spirits the idea to woo global tourists with its own ''Grand Kerala Shopping Festival." The four-month festival, officially announced at a 'Kerala Evening' held on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market on Thursday, is designed to offer a treasure trove of shopping delights to the visitors.

The festival logo, almost resembling that of DSF, was unveiled at the function attended by Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Home, Vigilance and Tourism, and Indian Consul General in Dubai Venu Rajamony.

Chairman of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), Cherian Philip said the festival, scheduled as an annual event beginning September end, would showcase Kerala's potential as a shopping destination.

He said the target is to boost the contribution of tourism to the state's GDP to 15 per cent from the current 12 per cent.

Philip said in 2006 Kerala recorded a 52 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from West Asia with ''wellness tourism'' gaining popularity among travellers from the region.

UNI