A number of village tourism promoters and prominent tour operators have come forward in support of the forthcoming Malayora Mahotsavam, an event planned by 17 grama panchayats in the district to showcase the splendour of rural tourism destinations.
As part of the two-week-long rural fest, slated to commence at Thiruvambady on January 11, promoters and operators in the tourism sector will offer rural sightseeing packages at subsidised rates.
According to members of the coordination committee, the objective of Malayora Mahotsavam is to highlight the beauty of rural tourism destinations and the yet-to-be explored investment opportunities. The support offered by established tour operators and promoters is, therefore, very encouraging, they said.
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Tour operators coordinating sightseeing packages with the support of a Mukkom-based agency will mainly attempt to draw the attention of tourists to eco-tourism destinations and farm tourism centres. They have already visited some potential destinations to make preliminary arrangements and discuss subsidised packages with local service providers.
“One of the most affordable packages on the cards is a one-day sightseeing trip connecting 12 prominent farm tourism destinations in Thiruvambady panchayat. We are planning to offer the trip at just ₹300 per head,” said Aju Emmanuel, coordinator of Malayora Mahotsavam. He added that all shortlisted farms under the project had won a number of State-level excellence awards. For operating farm trips, the support of local Kudumbashree entrepreneurs too will be sought. Along with Thiruvambady panchayat, the other 16 participating local bodies have been asked to come up with their own sightseeing packages.
Mr. Emmanuel said tour operators would be allowed to offer their own customised two-day and three-day packages. “The expenses may slightly vary in terms of pick-and-drop charges, but we will ensure that all customers get a reasonable festival concession,” he added.
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Thiruvambady grama panchayat president P.T. Augustine said the participating grama panchayats were hopeful of making use of the opportunity and highlighting their tourism potential before visitors with their own unique promotional programmes. “The main purpose of the event is to tell the outer world that all eco-tourism destinations in Kozhikode district are fit to greet tourists even after the floods and monsoon-related calamities,” he said.