Tourism News

Western Ghats casts spell on visitors at Spain

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 234 - February 2013

The Kerala Tourism themed its stand at the prestigious International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid this year on the breathtaking Western Ghats and drew a huge crowd of visitors at the Spanish capital.

Mr. K. Chiranjeevi, Union Tourism Minister visited the Kerala Tourism stand at the tourism fair held in Madrid.

Staging its 33rd edition this year, the FITUR is one of the most influential tourism trade fairs in the world, attracting business participants and travel media from around the globe besides the general public. Last year, the Kerala Tourism had won the best stand award at the FITUR.

The Kerala Tourism delegation was led by Mr. Suman Billa, Secretary, Kerala Tourism.

Built on a 56 square metre area, the Kerala Tourism stand saw a stream of visitors, who were attracted by the depiction of the beautiful flora and fauna of the majestic Western Ghats, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stand offered free Ayurvedic face and hand massage to the visitors in a bid to promote Kerala's Ayurveda in the Spanish market.

"We are happy that The Kerala Tourism stand was a big hit among the visitors to the FITUR," said Mr. Suman Billa. "The Spanish market is very important for Kerala Tourism and in that respect we have seen an increase in awareness about Kerala in this market," he added referring to the good response for the Kerala Tourism stand.

Kerala had witnessed an increase of 6.95 per cent in the arrival of tourists from Spain in 2011 compared to the previous year.

The trade partners of Kerala Tourism at the FITUR this year were CGH Earth, Amla Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Centre, Carnoustie Beach Resort, Vythiri Resort and Intersight Tours and Travels.