A three-month boat league modelled on the Indian Premier League, revival of the Spice Route, ₹372 crore for Kerala Tourism Entrepreneurship Fund, and ₹132 crore for development of infrastructure facilities have been announced for tourism sector in the State Budget.
The boat league will start with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in August and go on till the President’s Trophy in November 1. It would open a new tourist season in the State, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said. The boat league and Spice Route revival are included in the 25 projects for New Kerala.
The government will try to secure cultural heritage tag for the boat race. Nine snakeboats that clock the best time in the Nehru Trophy will participate in the succeeding races.
The Spice Route is being revived as part of the Muziris Heritage project. Work on the Thalassery and Alappuzha project has commenced. Ponnani and Thangaserry will be included by 2019-20.
Coastal Highway
The ₹6,000 crore KIIFB-funded Coastal Highway with cycle track will be a big boost to Spices Route. Dr. Isaac said the Muziris project, except the maritime museum, would be completed in 2020-21.
He said more funds would be provided for marketing the destination in addition to the ₹82 crore provided now. The Muzhapilangad tourism project will commence this year. The KTDC will be asked to manage tourist destinations and it has been given ₹8 crore. DTPCs in 14 districts have been allocated ₹12 crore.
Kerala Tourism Entrepreneurship Fund is for extending assistance to educated youth who come up with new ideas and solutions to vexed issues. A sum of ₹4 crore has been earmarked for those coming forward to protect buildings with tourism potential and for creating the requisite infrastructure.
