Seaplane, Muziris projects put Kerala on a high

Thanks to Seaplane Project and Project Muziris, the Tourism Department has been hugely successful in enhancing travel experience and attracting more domestic and foreign tourists

HYDERABAD.25/02/2013:-The land of mysteries intrigues - The Mind, artistsÕ showcases Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art that originated God Own Kerala during road show organized to attract more tourists with offering new initiatives like Seaplane project and Project MuzirisÕ in order t enhance the travel experience, in Hyderabad on Tuesday.-Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf

The ‘Seaplane Project’ and ‘Project Muziris’ were among a host of initiatives taken up by the Kerala Tourism Department to enhance travel experience and attract more domestic and foreign tourists, according to its Information Officer, Muralidharan.

Speaking at a road show here on Tuesday, he said the Seaplane Project involved plans to offer services initially in the priority circuit and improving last-mile air connectivity to destinations across the State, with services from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode airports and Astamudi, Punnamada and Kumarakom lakes and Bolgatty and Bekal Fort.

Project Muziris is aimed at reviving the legendary port of Muziris - the Muziris Heritage Site that stretches from North Paravur Municipality in Ernakulam district to Kodungallor in Thrissur district. The objective is to spread awareness about the cultural diversity of Muziris by setting up over 25 museums to showcase its heritage.

Kerala had registered a rise in tourist footfalls to 7 per cent, and related revenues had also gone up by 8 per cent in 2012 as compared to 2011. It saw 7.94 foreign tourists (1.01 crore domestic arrivals) in 2012 as against 7.33 lakh (93.88 lakh domestic) the previous year. Direct and indirect revenues from tourism were pegged at Rs. 21,125 crore in 2012 (Rs. 19,037 in 2011). Foreign exchange earnings had touched Rs. 4,548 crore in 2012 (Rs. 4,221.99 crore in 2011), Mr. Muralidharan said.

Other projects included ‘NATVENTURE’, a combination of Nature and Adventure using wildlife, hill stations, beaches and backwaters to engage tourists in adventure activities.

The ‘Great Backwaters’ campaign plans to focus on the State’s backwaters as a single destination, he said.