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The revised budget for 2021-22 presented by the Finance Minister Mr. K. N. Balagopal will give an impetus to the revival of pandemic-hit tourism sector in Kerala, Tourism Minister Mr. P. A. Mohammed Riyas said. “The proposals in the budget will expedite the government’s plans to tap the post-pandemic tourism potential by converting the crisis into an opportunity, with greater emphasis on Responsible Tourism initiatives,” the Minister added.
Novel projects like the Malabar Literary Circuit and the Bio-diversity Circuit proposed in the budget will strengthen cultural, heritage and environmental tourism in the state and enhance tourist footfall, Mr. Riyas remarked. An amount of Rs. 50 crore has been earmarked in the budget for the two projects. The Malabar Literary Circuit will link Thunchan Memorial at Tirur, Beypore, Thasrak, Ponnani, Trithala and the banks of the Bharathapuzha. The Biodiversity Circuit will connect the Ashtamudi Lake, Munroethuruth, Kottarakara, Meenpidipara, Muttara-Maruthimala, Jadayu Rock, Thenmala and Achencoil in Kollam district.
An additional allocation of Rs. 50 crore proposed for stepping up marketing campaigns will help Kerala Tourism attract new visitors.
The budget has also proposed that sufficient working capital and other credit support of over Rs. 400 crore will be made available for the growth of industry through financial institutions like the Kerala Finance Corporation (KFC), he said.
Also, a total of Rs. 30 crore as government share has been earmarked to work out a rejuvenation package for tourism enterprises, he said. The budget also earmarked Rs. 5 crore for launching amphibious vehicles in Kollam, Kochi and Thalassery.
Tourism Projects to be Implemented in a Time-Bound Manner
Mr. Riyas said Kerala will complete its tourism projects in a time-bound manner by giving them top priority under the government’s 100-day action plan aimed at helping the state tide over the economic slowdown triggered by the second wave of the pandemic.
Mr. Riyas said discussions will be held with people’s representatives and district administrations regarding the tourism-development activities to be implemented in Wayanad district, Kozhikode city and Fort Kochi. “The government will initiate ways to increase the arrival of tourists by appointing Keralites residing in Arab countries, Europe and the US as brand ambassadors of state’s tourism,” he added.
Tourist Centres to be set up in each Panchayat
The Tourism Minister has said that at least one tourist centre will be set up in every panchayat in the state. To surmount the loss caused by the ban on international travel, the state will focus more on domestic tourism and decentralize tourism in the state. Local bodies will have a higher stake in developing holiday destinations in the state, Mr. Riyas said in the Assembly.
Pilgrimage tourism schemes will also be promoted. Tourism projects will be launched in Malappuram district by connecting the monuments of those who led the freedom struggle.
