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An airstrip network to help tourists fly from one tourist spot to another, cruise tourism and tourism hubs are some of the projects announced in the State Budget 2022.
“The Budget has made substantial allocations (Rs 362.15-crores worth of projects) to the development of the tourism sector in order to take up a slew of initiatives like Tourism Hubs and Destination Challenge. The amount earmarked in the budget this year for tourism is Rs 42 crores more than what was set apart last year,” Tourism Minister Mr Mohamed Riyas said.
The new projects on the anvil include the launch of cruise tourism connecting Kovalam, Kollam, Kochi, Beypore, Mangaluru and Goa, for which an initial allocation of Rs 5 crores has been made. A sum of Rs 15 crores has been set apart for transforming the Champions Boat League (CBL) into an Indian Premier League model.
The budget has also earmarked Rs 20 crores for interest subvention for an ambitious project to avail Rs 1,000 crores loan for the rejuvenation and development of the tourism sector.
The scheme-wise allocations include Rs. 132.14 crores for the “one panchayat-one destination” initiative, Rs 81 crores for marketing strategies and promotional activities, Rs 29.30 crores for training activities in the tourism sector and Rs 5 crores for setting up caravan parks.
Apart from putting the Caravan Tourism initiative firmly on track, the new projects to be implemented include development of 25 eco-friendly tourist hubs in five years, strengthening of the pilgrim circuit and inclusion of marine travels in tourism plans. A total of 25 eco-friendly and self-sufficient tourism hubs will be set up in the state.
