KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
Kerala experience shared during BBC sponsored discussion
The recently concluded WTM 2009 had 'Responsible' and 'Eco Tourism' as the popular themes with significant contributions coming from tourism and travel experts from around the globe during seminars and round table sessions. Also doing the rounds during deliberations at WTM 2009 were climate change, developments in sustainable tourism, travel philanthropy and tourism's role is economic development.
Kerala Tourism as part of WTM 2009 got invited to a discussion on the theme 'Making Better Places for People to Live In,' sponsored by BBC World News. Dr.Venu V., Secretary Kerala Tourism, representing Kerala among the panelist, gave viewers an insight into Kerala's tourism development and elaborated on how tourism has contributed to the local economy in Kumarakom while preserving its appeal. The session was hosted by BBC current affairs presenter Stephen Sackur. Others who were part of the discussion panel included George Hickton, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand, Heidi Keyser, Cape Town, ICRT South Africa, Manda Brookman, Director, Coast, Cornwall Sustainable Development and Oskar Hinteregger, Director, Austrian Tourist Board.
