Kerala to explore Malabar's tourism potential

Chennai, Oct 9 (UNI) The Kerala Government has chalked out a plan 'Wake up to Malabar', to explore and showcase its northern region to attract more tourists.

Talking to newspersons here today, Kerala Tourism Director Sanjay Kaul said ''the initiative expanding the 'Kerala Experience', would be focused on tourism development of the Malabar region, comprising Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod districts.'' ''Wake up to Malabar' will open up the region with its cultural and historic variety to the tourists than never before'', he added.

Mr Kaul said the state registered a remarkable increase in domestic and international tourists inflow during the first quarter of the year.

A master plan for the development of the region, prepared by an international consultant, would be released in December.

''Tourism would be made an year-long offer, expanding it from the usual season of October-February. A series of road shows would be organised in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai to market Kerala's 'year-long' tourism potential,'' he added.

The state would have the rare honour of hosting the second international conference on 'Responsible Tourism', in association with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) India.

Munnar, in Idukki district, which was in the news for the anti-encroachment drive, would be ready for the travel-freaks soon'' he added.

UNI