Kerala is looking for good benefits from foreign investments in innovative projects to be assigned in
global connect initiative — Emerging Kerala.
The tourism department has introduced many projects
for private sector participation across the state. These include a luxury hotel
project in the upcoming Edu Health City at
Panakkad and a Destination Development Boat Club at
Thirurangadi — both in Malappuram district, Adventure Sports Arena at Vagamon,
Mist Valley Resort and Spa and a Spice Valley Resort in the hill district of
Idukki.
And also the project have also been planned an underwater aquarium at Arookutty in coastal
Alappuzha district, Marine Leisure Island at Dharmadom in Kannur district and a
botanical garden and forest lodge at Nelliampathy in Palakkad district. The government
has set up a cabinet sub-committee for the speedy approval of tourism projects.
Infrastructure development at tourism destinations was one of the project’s
priority areas.
The state government has introduce a new tourism
policy in June targeting an annual growth of 15 per cent in foreign tourist
arrivals and 7 per cent in domestic arrivals. It has set a target of 3 million
foreign tourists and 18 million domestic tourists by 2021.The policy mainly aimed to promote Ayurveda,
backwaters, adventure tourism, eco-tourism and medical tourism under
Responsible Tourism.
It also includes a campaign on ‘Kerala Waste-Free
Destination’, ten thematic museums in the next decade to showcase the cultural
heritage of Kerala. And also the project is setting up information centres at
major tourist destinations with information centres and trained staff.
