The Hindu : Many tourism projects may come up at GIM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Many tourism projects may come up at GIM

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Jan. 9. Kerala Tourism will showcase preferred locations such as Vagamon and Bekal, the Theerapadam project, setting up of a star hotel at Nedumbassery and Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Science at Malayatoor along with 25 other destination development projects to the tune of Rs.1,500 crores at the forthcoming Global Investors Meet (GIM).

The Government is in possession of land in all the major projects to be presented at the GIM by a team headed by the Tourism Minister, K. V. Thomas, in Kochi on January 18 and January 19.

``We are confident that the investment will come through for the projects as the tourism sector has emerged as a major sector already. The major chunk of investment received by the State has come in the tourism sector during the last 10 years,'' the Director of Tourism, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, said.

The investment options being offered on the beaches, backwaters, forests and hill stations of God's Own Country are mainly for destination development, enhancing accommodation facilities, recreational facilities, setting up of HRD institutes, Ayurvedic spas and treatment centres, watersport facilities.

Several leading groups, including those from abroad, have expressed interest in Vagamon, where 1,800 acres of land is being developed as a ``holistic health destination'', Mr. Sharma said. Many have already visited Vagamon located in Idukki district.

A detailed master plan, comprising a five-year microplan and a 30-year micro development plan, is being prepared by a New Delhi-based consultant for developing Vagamon. Ayurvedic centres, naturopathy centres, mini golf course, retreat centres, eco-lodges, research and interpretation centres has been proposed.

The Department will provide basic infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply, electricity, waste disposal plants to facilitate private investors to come in a big way to develop Vagamon into a major tourist destination.

Six sites are ready for investment at Bekal in Kasaragod district. Several leading hotel groups within the country had envinced interest in setting up properties at Bekal.

The Government has land and building at Malayatoor for the proposed Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Science.

The department proposed to set up the institute on the premises where the local chapter of the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) is functioning at Malayattoor.

The 25 minor tourism projects to be presented in the GIM included setting up of aquariums, oceanariums, development of beaches and Ayurvedic parks in Malabar region, setting up of watersport centres, cultural villages and water-based recreational facilities at Ashtamudi.

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