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Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the first phase of the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV) at Vellar in Thiruvananthapuram. The arts and crafts village opens the magnificent world of art in Kerala to the traveller and is slated to increase tourist footfalls.
Chief Minister Mr. Vijayan said that it is important to tap the possibilities of online marketing for handicraft products in order to preserve and promote the state’s widely-acclaimed art and craft traditions and enhance their global appeal. “The project is aimed at preserving our traditional arts and handicrafts. By lending a unique appeal to arts and crafts, we have to raise them to global standards. It is also important to explore the opportunity of online marketing of our handicraft products,” said Mr. Vijayan, while inaugurating the facility through video conference.
Remarking that it is a proud moment for the tourism sector, the Chief Minister said the KACV will be firmly marked on the global tourism map.
“The tourism sector is forging ahead by overcoming so many challenges. Due to COVID-19, the sector has incurred a loss of Rs 40,000 crores. The government is committed to bring about growth in tourism sector without harming the environment,” he said.
Spread around 8.5 acres of panoramic locale, KACV has been designed and implemented by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd (ULCCS Ltd) for the Kerala Tourism Department. The first phase of the project was completed at a cost of Rs 20 crores.
Tourism Minister Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, who presided over the function, said that the government’s approach is to promote tourism as an activity for the economic benefit of the common people. “In that sense, KACV is a shining model and it will definitely elevate the position of Kerala, especially Kovalam and the capital city, on the global tourism map to the golden status.” He also launched KACV Kalari Academy Concept Book by handing a copy of it over to Kalaripayattu practitioner Padma Shri Ms. Meenakshi Amma.
Tourism Secretary Ms. Rani George said that KACV is going to be another sought-after destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Tourism Director Mr. P. Bala Kiran said the capital city is now passing through the golden era of tourism development.
A Hub of Art and Crafts
The Arts and Crafts Village has dedicated spaces for artisans and craftspeople, mostly from south Kerala, to work and sell their exquisite and authentic products. Visitors can buy souvenirs and curios to add to their collection. The complex includes an amphitheatre, museums, studios for craftspeople to work in and an art gallery, enabling the visitors to have a hands-on feel of the rich and diverse heritage of Kerala handed down through centuries. An all-inclusive leisure spot, Kerala Arts & Crafts Village has a design strategy lab, game zones, handloom village, reading rooms, food courts, walkways and rest areas.
