The Muziris heritage will be showcased as a tourism product to enhance tourist arrivals to the State, Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar said in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Nearly 95 per cent of the Rs.98-crore phase I of the Muziris project was complete, and it would be commissioned in January, the Minister said.
He was replying to questions on tourist arrivals and steps to increase them.
The development of Cherai beach would be taken up as part of the project, Mr. Anil Kumar said.
Kerala Tourism was taking all steps despite financial constraints to market and promote the destination within the country and abroad, and create the requisite infrastructure, he said.
The Sri Lankan tourism model could not be replicated in the State, he said, in reply to the queries on stiff competition by the island nation.
“We cannot do what they are doing. They do not have hartals and bandhs. Seaplanes and water taxis are being used by Sri Lanka and Maldives.”
There was no dip in tourist arrivals to the State till June this year, he said.
SeaplanesThe government was determined to revive the seaplane project and overcome opposition. Steps were being taken to kick off the seaplane services in January, Mr. Anil Kumar said. The inability to operate the services would send a wrong signal to those who had invested money in the project, he said.
Minister for Health V.S. Sivakumar said the Health Department, with the support of the police, was taking steps to check the use of tobacco products near school premises. The demand for including food safety in the curriculum would be discussed with the Minister for Education. Food safety clubs would be set up in all schools to promote the safe food campaign.
Minister for Finance K.M. Mani told the House that a sum of Rs.1,665.40 crore was due to contractors for the works executed by them.
