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Giving a big push to the caravan tourism project, the Tourism Department has begun online registration for tourist caravan operators and caravan park facilitators. While investors interested in operating tourist caravans can seek registration by logging onto https://www.keralatourism.org/keravan-kerala/register/tourist-caravan, those interested in establishing caravan parks across the state can join the project by getting the registration done through https://www.keralatourism.org/keravan-kerala/register-park/caravan-park.
All the details, including subsidies and incentives for investors, parameters of caravan operation, procedures and protocols to be followed, and norms for setting up caravan parks have been laid down in detail in the registration site. They can be accessed through www.keralatourism.org/keravan-kerala
The caravan tourism policy, unveiled a couple of months back by the Tourism Minister Mr. P. A. Mohamed Riyas, seeks to usher in a paradigm shift in experiential tourism. Within a short span, the project branded as ‘Keravan Kerala’ has elicited keen interest from auto majors, top travel and hospitality players, local self-government institutions and service providers.
Under the policy, the first 100 caravans will get a subsidy of Rs 7.50 lakhs or 15 per cent of the cost, whichever is less. The next 100 vehicles will get Rs 5 lakhs or 10 per cent of the cost, whichever is less. For 201 to 300 caravans, it will be Rs 2.50 lakhs or 5 per cent of the cost, whichever is less. The subsidy will be available for five caravans for an individual investor or a group, for three years.
BharatBenz rolled out its spanking new and features-laden tourism caravan last month. Commercial Vehicle makers Isuzu, Tata Motors and Force Motors are also expected to come out with their tourist caravans soon.
Hospitality major CGH Earth has announced plans to set up as many as 10 caravan parks in the state, starting with its first park on a five-acre site in the backdrop of a tea plantation at Marayoor in the Idukki district.
There will be two models of caravans - those that can accommodate on two travellers on board and those for a family of four. The caravans should have all in-built comforts such as a sofa-cum-bed, refrigerator, microwave oven, dining table, toilet cubicle, driver’s cabin, internet connection and GPS. Ensuring the safety of guests, the movement of caravans in any part of the state will be digitally monitored.
Giving thrust to sustainable development, the policy has made it clear that caravan parks will be located in natural settings without upsetting the environment, giving top priority to tourists’ safety and security.
Caravan parks can be developed as private, public or joint ventures or by local self government institutions on sites that fulfill the parameters. A park, which needs at least 50 cents of land, should have space enough to accommodate five vehicles at a time with facilities like food parks, restrooms, activity area and driver’s lodge.
Check the following video to know about Caravan Tourism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ckN49wZIKg
