Tourism panel for Kovalam on cards

M. Vincent to chair destination management committee

The blue beckons kayakers in Kovalam.

The government will constitute Kovalam Tourism Destination Management Committee with M. Vincent, MLA, as chairman, Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran has said.

Replying to a submission by Mr. Vincent on the need for constituting a Kovalam Development Authority to improve the infrastructure facilities at the international tourism destination, in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Surendran said the District Tourism Promotion Council, Destination Management Committee, and destination managers appointed under the Green Carpet scheme were all there to monitor the developments in the sector. But they should function effectively to improve the amenities at the tourist destinations. Formation of another authority would not serve the purpose.

Dip in arrivals

Kovalam had lost its sheen over the years and there was a fall in tourist arrivals too. The change in liquor policy too was one of the reasons for the dip in tourist arrivals. The government was willing to hold a meeting, involving Mr. Vincent, to discuss the issues affecting the destination, he said.

A decision on the issues concerning the development of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport would be taken on getting the social impact study report on the project, Law Minister A.K. Balan said.

58 acres needed

Replying to a submission by O. Rajagopal on the need for expediting the development of the airport, Mr. Balan said that 58 acres of land was needed for developing the airport. But there was resistance to land acquisition. On getting the report, the government would discuss the rehabilitation package and land price with the affected families. Mr. Rajagopal said the government should engage the families and not the organisations that had come up against the project.