Thiruvananthapuram, 20 March (IANS). Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Wednesday that Kerala has an important contribution in the development of tourism in India and promised full support from the Center to carry forward the state’s leading initiative in the tourism sector.
Speaking at a meeting held here to review the progress of tourism projects in the state, Shekhawat said that the state should unveil new products to increase the number of tourists and focus on one or two reputed sites.
State Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Rias and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi were present on the occasion.
Shekhawat said, “Kerala makes a huge contribution to the development of tourism in India. There is also immense potential for development in the tourism sector of Kerala. This requires launching new products, especially focusing on the beach, Ayurveda, health, heritage, pilgrimage and spiritual tourism. Needed.”
He further said that Kerala has been a pioneer in attracting tourists by presenting new products and should continue to do so.
He said that Kerala will remain an important contributor in India’s tourism development. He said that the Central Government should approve the state’s proposal for special packages focused on Ayurveda and seaside tourism, so that the arrival of international and domestic tourists can increase, which will increase the country’s foreign income.
“The support of the Center is important in global marketing campaigns being run by the state as a global destination of various attractions by the state,” said Rias.
He said that the central government should reconsider its decision to stay away from the Arab travel mart next month, as India’s participation in Arab Travel Mart will increase the arrival of international tourists in the country. He said that the Middle East Kerala is a major market for tourism.
After this, the meeting reviewed the progress of pilgrimage tourism circuit project, including Sabarimala, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Projects under Swadeshi Darshan 2.0, Prasad Project, Thalassery Spiritual Nexus Project, Bepor, Kumarakom and Workla Shivgiri projects.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of projects presented by the state in the meeting.
-IANS
AKS/CBT
