Rejuvenation of the Pathiramanal eco-tourism project, a master plan for the development of tourism by linking the backwaters and rivers in Malabar, master plan for renovation of canals in Alappuzha with Dutch cooperation and ₹75-crore outlay for the marketing of the destinations figure in the ₹330-crore allocation for the tourism sector in the State budget.
Tourist destinations of Kovalam, Neyyar, Varkala, Thenmala, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar, Fort, Kochi, Athirappilly, Wayanad, Ashtamudi, Sabarimala, Vembanad, Wagamon, Cherai, Peechi, Guruvayur, Malambuzha, Nelliampathy, Nila, Nilambur, Kappad, Irinjal and Thuharagiri will get ₹80 crore for infrastructure development and minor tourist destinations, ₹40 crore.
Muziris project
The Muziris Heritage Project, Thalassery, Alappuzha Spice Route will get ₹40 crore. The District Court in Thalassery will figure in the Heritage Protection Network.
The main component of the master plan being prepared for the dredging and protection of canals in Alappuzha will get KIIFB funding. Two museums in Alappuzha — Thomas Norton’s Memorial and Coir Museum — will be ready by 2017-18 and ₹10 crore has been allocated for the two.
A sum of ₹15 crore has been allocated for the promotion of the Nishagandhi dance and music festival, Onam celebrations, tribal dance festival, Pooram, Theyyam festivals and boat race. A sum of ₹5 crore has been additionally provided to promote boat race and provide aid to snake-boats.
Project reports
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and other tourism institutions will get ₹22 crore and the District Tourism Promotion Councils ₹12 crore.
The Finance Minister said detailed project reports (DPR) are being prepared for the infrastructure facilities being developed at a cost of ₹400 crore in the tourism destinations of Dharmadam-Muzhiplangadu, Kannur fort, Arakkal palace, Karappuzha-Wayanad, Chethi-Mararikulam, Thrissur-Guruvayur-Paliyoor circuit, Akkulam, Ponnani and Ponmudi as announced in the last Budget.
