You have heard a lot about this ancient port city, described by foreign travellers as the “city of truth”, which was once a major hub for international trade. Much has been written about its food culture and historical monuments. The lush green villages outside the city limits offer a getaway from the daily humdrum too.
However, if you land in Kozhikode city, you will not have any idea of how to go about checking it out as the tourist guidance mechanism here is often found wanting.
Apart from the Mananchira ground, the pond overlooking it, the Kozhikode beach, and the Tali temple, most of the cultural and historic landmarks have not been properly showcased. Same is the case with the tourism destinations in the district.
Benoy Venugopal, who recently took over as the secretary of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), confirms that all is not well with the tourism sector in the district.
“For a long time, the DTPC did not have a full-time secretary. Many projects were initiated but at least some of them are stuck in the middle. There were no proper materials. We are trying to change the scenario,” he said.
Travel planners
Mr. Venugopal pointed out that unlike Wayanad, there are not many non-governmental organisations involved in the sector in the district. There are not many travel planners either. “I believe a proper blueprint for tourism development could not be developed in the district because of various reasons. For example, Kozhikode was once part of the spice route. We need to highlight such facts,” he said.
Pointing out that though there are three museums within the city corporation limits, Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum and V.K. Krishna Menon Museum at East Hill, E. Moidu Moulavi Museum near the beach, he said very few of those coming from outside the district were aware of it. “We are planning to install signboards at Mananchira and other places in the city to guide tourists,” said Mr. Venugopal.
He claimed that efforts are now on to change the lethargy that has set in the sector. “The ongoing renovation at S.M. Street is part of it. Beautification works will be taken up at the South Beach so that the rush at the main beach is reduced. Similar schemes are on for Kappad and Beypore as well,” said Mr. Venugopal.
Tourism in the interior parts of the district too would get a push, he said, pointing out that the kayaking competition at Pulikkayam near Thusharagiri would be projected as an international event and there would be participants from abroad too. Lesser-known destinations such as Vayalada near Balussery too would be highlighted, he added.
