With a view to making Kerala an international shopping destination, the State’s Department of Tourism is organising the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival in association with the South Indian Bank. The 48-day shopping festival will be held from December 15 to January 31, 2013.
Addressing reporters here on Friday, the festival’s state coordinator V. Vijayan said a road show was also held in the city as a run-up to the shopping festival. Kerala had invited Karnataka government to showcase its culture and famed handicrafts at the Global Village, a key attraction of the festival. “We have already extended an official invitation to Karnataka to participate in the national pavilion of the Global Village at the Lulu Convention Centre in Kochi from December 22. It is going to be a miniature representation of our rich and diverse world. Many countries and States have already confirmed their participation,” he said.
A huge number of people from Karnataka visit the Sabarimala during this season and they can get a close feel of Kerala and the whole world through the festival. Tourists and pilgrims from outside Kerala will get a 100 per cent refund on Value Added Tax, besides chances to win attractive prizes. A total of 101 kg of gold will be given as prizes through daily, weekly and mega draws. There will be daily prize of 1 gm gold, six weekly prizes of 10 sovereigns (80 gm) to 10 winners each. There are sponsored gifts worth Rs.10 lakh for five people.
Visit www.shoppingfestival.in or call toll-free number 0 4444 44 4444.
