Union Minister of State for Tourism, Electronics and IT K.J. Alphons said here on Monday that the tardy progress of infrastructure projects and the failure to utilise funds on time had affected the growth of the tourism sector in Kerala.
Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here, he said the Centre would provide assistance for Kerala to improve tourism infrastructure and provide entertainment facilities at major tourist destinations.
He proposed a master plan for the development of Munnar, Vagamon and Kumarakom with the involvement of the private sector. The government, he said, could recover the land held by Tata Tea at Munnar and use it to construct affordable accommodation facilities for tourists at the hill station.
The Minister said lack of entertainment facilities at tourist destinations, especially after nightfall, was an impediment to the development of tourism in the State. He, however, said it was for the State to decide on the kind of entertainment that could be provided for tourists.
Pointing out that Kerala had the potential to become the number one tourist destination in India, he said the sector could be used to generate revenue and create employment. The State, he said, stood to benefit from beach tourism, religious tourism and ecotourism.
