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6,205,297
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Kerala's Tourism Policy 2012 was recently released by Mr. Oommen Chandy, the Chief Minister of Kerala. The policy aims to convert Kerala into an all-season destination and market Kerala as a visible global brand with equal focus on domestic and international markets.
According to the new policy, Ayurveda, backwaters, adventure, eco-tourism, MICE and medical tourism will be developed and promoted as special tourism products along with Responsible Tourism. The policy also ensures fast-track clearance for tourism projects with an investment of above Rs. 100 million.
Zero tolerance on substance abuse and child abuse in tourism sector; creation of Kerala Responsible Tourism Task Force at the State level; formation of State Tourism Advisory Committee (STAC); new campaign on Kerala Waste Free Destination (KWFD) and a task force to manage it and a scheme for new investors in tour operations, homestays, serviced villas and Ayurveda centres to participate in international and national tourism promotional events are some of the highlights of the 2012 Tourism Policy.
Also part of the new policy are suggestions to build new accommodation units of less than 30 rooms in six northern districts - Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad. And to attract more tourists, Hop-on Hop-off services will be introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Fort Kochi, Kochi backwaters and Munnar.
The policy also focuses on increasing the tourist arrivals in both foreign and domestic segments. The new policy targets 3 million foreign tourist arrivals and 18 million domestic tourist arrivals by 2021.
Tourism was declared as an industry in the State in 1986 and from then onwards many major developments took place in the State's tourism industry.
