Walkathon, flash mob, cleaning of the beaches, exhibition, seminars and awareness programmes to promote sustainable tourism marked the observance of the World Tourism Day on Wednesday in the city.
The day, being observed with the UNWTO theme ‘Sustainable Tourism-a Tool for Development,’ commenced with the walkathon organised by Kerala Tourism and Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies from Kowdiar junction to Museum.
Walkathon
Chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and former Minister M. Vijayakumar inaugurated the walkathon.
Hundreds of students of KITTS, filmmaker Shaji Kailas, actor Annie, KITTS Director Rajashree Ajith, Principal B. Rajendran, Deputy Director, Tourism, Anil V.S. and stake-holders of the industry joined for the walk.
Later, the students cleaned the Shanghumughom beach and organised a flash mob at the KSRTC terminal in Thampanoor and staged mime to drum up support for sustainable tourism.
The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) took the initiative to bring 53 tiny tots studying in the Vlavatty Tribal school, near Kottoor in the district, to the capital for the first time to see the zoo, museum and Akkulam tourist village.
The tribal children, who arrived in two buses, had a jolly good time during their day-long maiden outing in capital.
A. Sampath, MP, inaugurated the seminar ‘Tourism tomorrow@ Thiruvananthapuram – The Sustainable path ahead,’ organised by the DTPC. The MP stressed the need for creating the requisite infrastructure for attracting tourists to the city.
Light Metro
Presiding over the function, Mayor V.K. Prasanth suggested that the corridor of the proposed Light Metro from Technocity to Karamana should not in any way alter the landscape and beauty of the city.
B. Sathyan, MLA, District Panchayat President, V.K. Madhu, ADM John V. Samuel, DTPC Secretary, T.V. Prashanth, and councillor M.V. Jayalekshmi were among those who spoke.
Former CEO of Technopark G. Vijayaraghavan suggested measures for the future development of the inland waterways and introduction of water sports at Kovalam, Akkulam and Kapil.
Tourism circuit
Chairman, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, E.M. Najeeb suggested for an investment map for tourism development and highlighted the need for a tourism circuit in Thiruvananthapuram.
Former Additional Chief Secretary and MD of Inkel T. Balakrishnan urged the government to constitute a one-man commission to study the functioning of the DTPC.
President, ATTOI, P.K. Anish Kumar pointed out that the family-run tourism business like home stays and apartments would be the most preferred options by tourists.
A photo exhibition linking 27 tourist destinations in the world was organised by Destination Designers as part of the observance of the day.
