Express News Service
First Published : 29 May 2009 11:58:00 PM IST
KOCHI: Giving signs that tourism sector in state will return from the setback it suffered due to recession, the sector has started picking up slowly. The bookings for the tourism season which starts in November is already in full swing.
Hoteliers and travel agencies said that booking for December had almost been completed. “The bookings from foreigners, especially from UK, is considerably high this time. The bookings for December has been completed,” said Charles, assistant manager, common reservation system, Casino Group of Hotels.
The tour operators also see a good season ahead as various steps taken by the Tourism Department and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) had been showing positive results. “The Tourism Department’s tie-up with Jet Airways to offer attractive packages to tourists has been helpful. As per the tie-up, those tourists who avail of the tourism package offered by the Tourism Department will be able to fly on lesser fares. There is an understanding with main hotels as well,” said Neelesh, tour manager, Pioneer Travels, Kochi.
But Tourism Department officials and KTDC see only a mixed response. “We have taken many measures to give boost to the tourism sector. As part of it, we attended various road shows in various cities in the country,” said Venu, Secretary, Tourism Department. “There are some signs of the sector picking up.
But the efforts are to be continued to ensure that it performs better,” he said.
The KTDC hotels also show mixed response so far. “The bookings at our hotels at Munnar and Thekkady are good, but other units including Kovalam centre do paint a rosy picture,” said K G Mohanlal, KTDC Managing Director.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Kerala trying to attract young tourists
May 20 2009 2216 hrs IST , Mumbai
Tags: Kerala tourism, Consumer By Yassir A Pitalwalla
Kerala, often marketed as a honeymooners’ paradise in India, is now being repositioned as an activity holiday destination that aims to attract the youth.
“We want to reposition Kerala to appeal to the young crowd, which is why our latest promotional initiatives extensively use new media such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter . We want to avoid product fatigue by moving beyond just exploiting the backwaters and ayurveda as USPs to position ourselves as an activity-based holiday destination that appeals to youngsters. There are 15 wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, which we want to market.” said Venu V secretary of Kerala Tourism.
“Under the activity holiday category, Kerala offers options such as kayaking, hiking and trekking, jeep safaris, parasailing, rock climbing asnd cycling all in the midst of the immense natural beauty the state has to offer,” said Venu. It is also trying to woo new segments such as college students and the techie crowd with mid-segment offers.
The staff at wildlife sanctuaries is being trained to deal with guests and act as guides for nature walk trails and kayaking. Accommo-dations including Swiss tents are also being added. “We have found that Domestic travellers to Kerala spend on an average Rs 3,000 per day, which adds directly to the local economy,” said M Sivasankar, director of Kerala Tourism.
Tags: Kerala tourism, Consumer By Yassir A Pitalwalla
Kerala, often marketed as a honeymooners’ paradise in India, is now being repositioned as an activity holiday destination that aims to attract the youth.
“We want to reposition Kerala to appeal to the young crowd, which is why our latest promotional initiatives extensively use new media such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter . We want to avoid product fatigue by moving beyond just exploiting the backwaters and ayurveda as USPs to position ourselves as an activity-based holiday destination that appeals to youngsters. There are 15 wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, which we want to market.” said Venu V secretary of Kerala Tourism.
“Under the activity holiday category, Kerala offers options such as kayaking, hiking and trekking, jeep safaris, parasailing, rock climbing asnd cycling all in the midst of the immense natural beauty the state has to offer,” said Venu. It is also trying to woo new segments such as college students and the techie crowd with mid-segment offers.
The staff at wildlife sanctuaries is being trained to deal with guests and act as guides for nature walk trails and kayaking. Accommo-dations including Swiss tents are also being added. “We have found that Domestic travellers to Kerala spend on an average Rs 3,000 per day, which adds directly to the local economy,” said M Sivasankar, director of Kerala Tourism.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tourism Dept all set to launch ‘FestivalWiki’
R Ayyappan
First Published : 20 May 2009 12:36:00 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Tourism Department is all set to launch the biggest-ever participatory exercise in tourism promotion. It has developed a collaborative Wikipedialike Internet tool, ‘FestivalWiki’, to create an all-encompassing database of state festivals.
People can log into FestivalWiki and upload information and photographs of obscure, generally unknown, festivals or edit or add to festival information already posted on the site. FestivalWiki, which will be linked to the state tourism website, will be open to the public by May end, after the restrictions related to the election code of conduct are lifted. Only festival literature and photographs can be uploaded on Festival- Wiki.
For videos, YouTube should be used.
“Since the state tourism is one of You- Tube’s content partners, the festival videos uploaded on the video-sharing site through the Kerala Tourism website gets featured regularly on its international homepage. Also there will be no time-limit for these videos,” said Hari of Invis Multimedia, the firm that supports the Department’s internet strategy. YouTube has already hosted a state-specific travel-video festival.
“As of now, we have a very limited festival calendar, information of about some 80-100 festivals. Even this information is general, and not locally generated.
Without local involvement, it is hard to spell out the nitty-gritties of a festival,” said Hari.
Take Thrissur Pooram, for instance.
There are many things about the pooram the world is unaware of; like the complicated astrological considerations that decide the time of the various events, like the repeat ‘pakalpooram’ that takes place without the crowds the day after the first and the much televised one. “Only the locals know this and only they can provide us with accurate information. We too provide such details but these are done with disclaimers,” Hari said.
Then there are relatively unknown festivals, ritual art forms and the like, that have not found a place on the websites and tourism guides. There is general information on about 100 festivals but in reality there are more than thousand infinitely more interesting ones waiting to be discovered. There is a small Devi temple in a relatively unknown village called Thaanikkudam, some 40-50 kilometres north of Thrissur.
In this temple the ‘aarattu’ takes place only when the Nila river swells in the rain, rises and passes through it.
Last year, processions were taken out of the Thaanikkudam temple thrice. The year before last, the Nila did not rise and there was none.”The FestivalWiki, we hope, will lead to the discovery of more such poignant and exotic festivals,” said Hari.
FestivalWiki will have basic information of about 100-odd festivals. People can log in and upload new information or edit existing content. “The festival season begins by August and reaches a peak in November. By that time, we hope the collaborative effort will result in a rich database,” Sivasankar said. “If this turns out successful, we will extend the concept to destinations,” he added.
First Published : 20 May 2009 12:36:00 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Tourism Department is all set to launch the biggest-ever participatory exercise in tourism promotion. It has developed a collaborative Wikipedialike Internet tool, ‘FestivalWiki’, to create an all-encompassing database of state festivals.
People can log into FestivalWiki and upload information and photographs of obscure, generally unknown, festivals or edit or add to festival information already posted on the site. FestivalWiki, which will be linked to the state tourism website, will be open to the public by May end, after the restrictions related to the election code of conduct are lifted. Only festival literature and photographs can be uploaded on Festival- Wiki.
For videos, YouTube should be used.
“Since the state tourism is one of You- Tube’s content partners, the festival videos uploaded on the video-sharing site through the Kerala Tourism website gets featured regularly on its international homepage. Also there will be no time-limit for these videos,” said Hari of Invis Multimedia, the firm that supports the Department’s internet strategy. YouTube has already hosted a state-specific travel-video festival.
“As of now, we have a very limited festival calendar, information of about some 80-100 festivals. Even this information is general, and not locally generated.
Without local involvement, it is hard to spell out the nitty-gritties of a festival,” said Hari.
Take Thrissur Pooram, for instance.
There are many things about the pooram the world is unaware of; like the complicated astrological considerations that decide the time of the various events, like the repeat ‘pakalpooram’ that takes place without the crowds the day after the first and the much televised one. “Only the locals know this and only they can provide us with accurate information. We too provide such details but these are done with disclaimers,” Hari said.
Then there are relatively unknown festivals, ritual art forms and the like, that have not found a place on the websites and tourism guides. There is general information on about 100 festivals but in reality there are more than thousand infinitely more interesting ones waiting to be discovered. There is a small Devi temple in a relatively unknown village called Thaanikkudam, some 40-50 kilometres north of Thrissur.
In this temple the ‘aarattu’ takes place only when the Nila river swells in the rain, rises and passes through it.
Last year, processions were taken out of the Thaanikkudam temple thrice. The year before last, the Nila did not rise and there was none.”The FestivalWiki, we hope, will lead to the discovery of more such poignant and exotic festivals,” said Hari.
FestivalWiki will have basic information of about 100-odd festivals. People can log in and upload new information or edit existing content. “The festival season begins by August and reaches a peak in November. By that time, we hope the collaborative effort will result in a rich database,” Sivasankar said. “If this turns out successful, we will extend the concept to destinations,” he added.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Cashing in on the rains: Monsoon and Wellness Tourism
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 12:00 Hrs [IST]
With the rainy season just around the corner, Monsoon and Wellness Tourism, the two segments will become the buzz words for the tourism industry across India. Blessy Chettiar and Kahini Chakraborty examine the strategies and initiatives taken up by the Ministry of Tourism, state tourism boards and trade to capitalise on the potential of these niche segments
“Raindrops keep falling on my head…” and for the travel trade the raindrops will also keep jingling their cash registers. For the past few years the travel trade and the state tourism boards have been aiding the trend of travelling during the rains by introducing attractive packages and selling destinations to discover the joys of Monsoons. Monsoon Tourism has emerged as a significant niche segment along with Wellness Tourism in the country attracting a large number of domestic and increasing number of international travelers during what was once considered an off season (June-September).
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), in a recent report, suggested strategies to promote Monsoon Tourism. The CII report identified Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa as suitable Monsoon Tourism destinations. Another joy the monsoon brings with it is the effectiveness of Ayurvedic therapies, which give best results during the monsoon months when the human body is most acquiescent to therapeutic concoctions used in Ayurveda. So, monsoon also brings in good revenue for those in the wellness business.
With the rainy season just around the corner, Monsoon and Wellness Tourism, the two segments will become the buzz words for the tourism industry across India. Blessy Chettiar and Kahini Chakraborty examine the strategies and initiatives taken up by the Ministry of Tourism, state tourism boards and trade to capitalise on the potential of these niche segments
“Raindrops keep falling on my head…” and for the travel trade the raindrops will also keep jingling their cash registers. For the past few years the travel trade and the state tourism boards have been aiding the trend of travelling during the rains by introducing attractive packages and selling destinations to discover the joys of Monsoons. Monsoon Tourism has emerged as a significant niche segment along with Wellness Tourism in the country attracting a large number of domestic and increasing number of international travelers during what was once considered an off season (June-September).
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), in a recent report, suggested strategies to promote Monsoon Tourism. The CII report identified Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa as suitable Monsoon Tourism destinations. Another joy the monsoon brings with it is the effectiveness of Ayurvedic therapies, which give best results during the monsoon months when the human body is most acquiescent to therapeutic concoctions used in Ayurveda. So, monsoon also brings in good revenue for those in the wellness business.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tourism unaffected by recession
Babu K Peter
First Published : 16 May 2009 02:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 May 2009 02:48:31 AM IST
KOCHI: Inspite of the unfavourable financial situation across the world, last financial year turned out to be an impressive period in revenue for the state tourism sector.
As per the official figures available with the Department of Tourism, the foreign exchange earnings from tourism sector in 2008 grew by 16.11 percent, bringing earnings of Rs 3066.5 crore. And the total revenue, both direct and indirect, grew up to Rs 13130 crore by registering 14.84 percent growth.
“This is an outcome of Kerala Tourism reworking its strategies and reflecting the same in its marketing efforts, which eventually made 2008 a memorable one irrespective of the odds. In 2008, we mainly focused on domestic tourists. The industry, including hoteliers, also reacted positively by reducing tariffs for various services,” said V Venu, secretary of Kerala Tourism.
“However, it is a fact that the industry has been affected by recession.
We could achieve a better result as the recession did not hit the first quarter of the last fiscal” he said.
“We are now planning strategies for exploring new markets such as Russia, Australia and Singapore. But results of such efforts cannot be expected soon” Venu said.
In 2007, the total foreign exchange earnings for tourism sector was Rs 2640 crore, while the total revenue stood at Rs 11433 crore.
The foreign tourist arrivals in the state was 5,98,929 in 2008, compared to 5,15,808 in 2007, showing an increase in growth of 16.11 percent.
January recorded the maximum number of foreign tourist arrivals (85,028) to Kerala in 2008, while the lowest was in June, at 20,578.
In domestic sector in 2008, the state witnessed 75,91,250 domestic tourist coming to the state, showing a growth of 14.28 percent from the previous year. December recorded the maximum number (7,50,415) of tourists arrivals in 2008, while the lowest (5,74,544) was in July.
First Published : 16 May 2009 02:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 May 2009 02:48:31 AM IST
KOCHI: Inspite of the unfavourable financial situation across the world, last financial year turned out to be an impressive period in revenue for the state tourism sector.
As per the official figures available with the Department of Tourism, the foreign exchange earnings from tourism sector in 2008 grew by 16.11 percent, bringing earnings of Rs 3066.5 crore. And the total revenue, both direct and indirect, grew up to Rs 13130 crore by registering 14.84 percent growth.
“This is an outcome of Kerala Tourism reworking its strategies and reflecting the same in its marketing efforts, which eventually made 2008 a memorable one irrespective of the odds. In 2008, we mainly focused on domestic tourists. The industry, including hoteliers, also reacted positively by reducing tariffs for various services,” said V Venu, secretary of Kerala Tourism.
“However, it is a fact that the industry has been affected by recession.
We could achieve a better result as the recession did not hit the first quarter of the last fiscal” he said.
“We are now planning strategies for exploring new markets such as Russia, Australia and Singapore. But results of such efforts cannot be expected soon” Venu said.
In 2007, the total foreign exchange earnings for tourism sector was Rs 2640 crore, while the total revenue stood at Rs 11433 crore.
The foreign tourist arrivals in the state was 5,98,929 in 2008, compared to 5,15,808 in 2007, showing an increase in growth of 16.11 percent.
January recorded the maximum number of foreign tourist arrivals (85,028) to Kerala in 2008, while the lowest was in June, at 20,578.
In domestic sector in 2008, the state witnessed 75,91,250 domestic tourist coming to the state, showing a growth of 14.28 percent from the previous year. December recorded the maximum number (7,50,415) of tourists arrivals in 2008, while the lowest (5,74,544) was in July.
Kerala Tourism to soon announce tie-up with any leading Indian airline to make the destination more accessible
By TBM Staff | Mumbai
In a move to make the holiday destination even more attractive and accessible for the domestic market, Kerala Tourism will soon announce a tie up with one of the country’s leading airlines. This latest marketing initiative will make Kerala one of the most cost-effective destinations in the country and is the first of –its-kind from a state tourism board in the country. To promote the Dream Season Holidays, a series of national road shows will commence in the key cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Around 40 trade partners will have B2B meets, scheduled between March 17 and July17, 2009.
At a time when destinations are showing declining figures, Kerala is bucking the trend in the crisis-hit global tourist industry. 598,929 foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2008, up 80,000 from the previous year. This is an impressive growth of 16.11 per cent compared to the overall growth rate for India in 2008 which is 5.6 per cent and the international growth rate of two per cent. Most visitors are from the UK, followed by France and Germany. Swedish arrivals registered the largest increase, doubling in arrivals compared to 2007. Equally impressive, are the arrival figures for the domestic market in 2008. 7,591,000 Indians visited Kerala last year – which is an increase of 9,48,000 visitors or a 14 per cent growth rate from the previous year.
Given the general deceleration in international markets, Kerala Tourism together with the Kerala trade is focusing its efforts on the domestic market. Consumers can expect some great deals and value-for-money Kerala holiday packages, branded under the Dream Season Campaign. Attractive schemes and packages by hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators will be unveiled to woo domestic travelers in a big way. Short break itineraries for budget and high-end travellers have been on sale via tour operators since last month.
Apart from the double digit growth, Kerala Tourism also celebrated four esteemed national awards it won this year. The awards were presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for The Most Innovative Adventure Activity, The Best Responsible Tourism Project, The Most Innovative Tourism Project and The Best Tourism Film.Kerala Tourism also bagged two PATA 2008 gold awards in the culture and consumer travel brochure categories. ‘Utsavam’ which won the award in the culture category for being instrumental in reviving the glorious cultural heritage of Kerala as well as for the enrichment of the local community is a remarkable cultural tourism initiative from Kerala Tourism.
In a move to make the holiday destination even more attractive and accessible for the domestic market, Kerala Tourism will soon announce a tie up with one of the country’s leading airlines. This latest marketing initiative will make Kerala one of the most cost-effective destinations in the country and is the first of –its-kind from a state tourism board in the country. To promote the Dream Season Holidays, a series of national road shows will commence in the key cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Around 40 trade partners will have B2B meets, scheduled between March 17 and July17, 2009.
At a time when destinations are showing declining figures, Kerala is bucking the trend in the crisis-hit global tourist industry. 598,929 foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2008, up 80,000 from the previous year. This is an impressive growth of 16.11 per cent compared to the overall growth rate for India in 2008 which is 5.6 per cent and the international growth rate of two per cent. Most visitors are from the UK, followed by France and Germany. Swedish arrivals registered the largest increase, doubling in arrivals compared to 2007. Equally impressive, are the arrival figures for the domestic market in 2008. 7,591,000 Indians visited Kerala last year – which is an increase of 9,48,000 visitors or a 14 per cent growth rate from the previous year.
Given the general deceleration in international markets, Kerala Tourism together with the Kerala trade is focusing its efforts on the domestic market. Consumers can expect some great deals and value-for-money Kerala holiday packages, branded under the Dream Season Campaign. Attractive schemes and packages by hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators will be unveiled to woo domestic travelers in a big way. Short break itineraries for budget and high-end travellers have been on sale via tour operators since last month.
Apart from the double digit growth, Kerala Tourism also celebrated four esteemed national awards it won this year. The awards were presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for The Most Innovative Adventure Activity, The Best Responsible Tourism Project, The Most Innovative Tourism Project and The Best Tourism Film.Kerala Tourism also bagged two PATA 2008 gold awards in the culture and consumer travel brochure categories. ‘Utsavam’ which won the award in the culture category for being instrumental in reviving the glorious cultural heritage of Kerala as well as for the enrichment of the local community is a remarkable cultural tourism initiative from Kerala Tourism.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
To survive slowdown, Kerala tourism shifts focus on domestic market
Posted: Saturday , May 16, 2009 at 0052 hrs IST
Pune: The Kerala Tourism board had recently announced that owing to the global slowdown they will be focusing more on the domestic tourism market to boost the tourism industry in Kerala.
Speaking about the same, M Sivasankar director, Kerala tourism, said, “Even though the tourism industry has taken a hit globally, the crisis is not as bad as the scene abroad. Infact, the tourism industry in Kerala shows a growth of 16 per cent as compared to the previous year. However, the market, as far as tourism is concerned, has slowed down even in Kerala. We have seen foreign tourists come in from UK, France, Germany and Sweden.”
He said, “In order to combat this slowdown, we have come up with a strategy wherein we will be focusing on the domestic market and also at the same time focus on our core international markets to ensure that we do not lose out on the international tourists.
We have designed a special scheme, the Dream Season, in which the consumers can expect great deals and value for money packages by hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators.”
In order to promote this ‘Dream Season’ holidays, a series of national road shows will commence in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Kolkata and New Delhi, which are scheduled between March 17 and July 17.
“The air tariffs and room tariffs have also been reduced. This will make the destinations more affordable. Also, under the Kerala Tourism Board, we have hotels which are either four star or above so that the customer is guaranteed satisfaction,” he said.
Pune: The Kerala Tourism board had recently announced that owing to the global slowdown they will be focusing more on the domestic tourism market to boost the tourism industry in Kerala.
Speaking about the same, M Sivasankar director, Kerala tourism, said, “Even though the tourism industry has taken a hit globally, the crisis is not as bad as the scene abroad. Infact, the tourism industry in Kerala shows a growth of 16 per cent as compared to the previous year. However, the market, as far as tourism is concerned, has slowed down even in Kerala. We have seen foreign tourists come in from UK, France, Germany and Sweden.”
He said, “In order to combat this slowdown, we have come up with a strategy wherein we will be focusing on the domestic market and also at the same time focus on our core international markets to ensure that we do not lose out on the international tourists.
We have designed a special scheme, the Dream Season, in which the consumers can expect great deals and value for money packages by hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators.”
In order to promote this ‘Dream Season’ holidays, a series of national road shows will commence in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Kolkata and New Delhi, which are scheduled between March 17 and July 17.
“The air tariffs and room tariffs have also been reduced. This will make the destinations more affordable. Also, under the Kerala Tourism Board, we have hotels which are either four star or above so that the customer is guaranteed satisfaction,” he said.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Mahindra Holidays to add 1,000 holiday homes
NEW DELHI: Eying the growing domestic tourist sector, Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, a part of Mahindra group, said it will be adding 1,000 more
holiday homes under its newly-launched Homestays brand.
"India is not a place to see but to experience. Homestays is a new concept which allows tourists to stay in Indian homes instead of hotels, allowing them to experience a little more of the 'real' India," company managing director Ramesh Ramanathan told reporters.
Under the scheme, tourists will stay with families in their homes in select locations, where they can get a peek into the cultural traditions, history and everyday life of the hosts and enjoy local home-cooked food.
The tariff starts from Rs.1,200 that includes taxes and breakfast, with the average rate being Rs.2,500.
At present, Mahindra Homestays has around 50 family properties in 10 states including Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.
The hotel brand was launched last July mainly targeting foreign tourists. But now the company is also looking at the middle class domestic tourists.
"Our target is to bring 120 Homestays units under our brand by the end of current year and 1,000 in the next five years," Ramnathan said, adding that 80 percent of the revenue earned would go to home owners.
"We have already signed agreements with the Kerala tourism department and are in talks with Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Delhi."
The company is also eying the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and has roped in eight Homestays partner in the capital and adjoining areas, he added.
holiday homes under its newly-launched Homestays brand.
"India is not a place to see but to experience. Homestays is a new concept which allows tourists to stay in Indian homes instead of hotels, allowing them to experience a little more of the 'real' India," company managing director Ramesh Ramanathan told reporters.
Under the scheme, tourists will stay with families in their homes in select locations, where they can get a peek into the cultural traditions, history and everyday life of the hosts and enjoy local home-cooked food.
The tariff starts from Rs.1,200 that includes taxes and breakfast, with the average rate being Rs.2,500.
At present, Mahindra Homestays has around 50 family properties in 10 states including Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.
The hotel brand was launched last July mainly targeting foreign tourists. But now the company is also looking at the middle class domestic tourists.
"Our target is to bring 120 Homestays units under our brand by the end of current year and 1,000 in the next five years," Ramnathan said, adding that 80 percent of the revenue earned would go to home owners.
"We have already signed agreements with the Kerala tourism department and are in talks with Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Delhi."
The company is also eying the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and has roped in eight Homestays partner in the capital and adjoining areas, he added.
VS to convene meet on saving Akkulam
Thiruvananthapuram, Friday 15 May 2009: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will soon convene a high-level meeting to find ways to rid Akkulam Lake of water hyacinth and to restore charm to the tourist village on its banks.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Vijayakumar said after visiting the village to see the dismal conditions. He will apprise the Chief Minister of the need to convene the meeting.
“The 53 hectares of the water body has almost been taken over by water hyacinth. It seems as if the lake has disappeared. It is an adventure trip here and not a leisure cruise,” Mr. Vijayakumar, who took a boat ride, said.
“The lake needs to be protected for the development of the tourist village and to attract tourists in large numbers at the earliest.”
The 24-seater safari boat of the District Tourism Promotion Council, which carried the Minister, officials and presspersons, did not have fitness certificate. The council’s officials did not insist that the travellers wear the mandatory lifejackets, despite it being made available at the boat club.
Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who holds charge of Water Resources, said a recent hydrographic study had revealed that 10 lakh cubic feet of silt had to be removed from the lake to make it navigable.
Efforts would be made to obtain funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the protection of the lake.
The council, which manages the village and the boat club, carried out a drive to remove weeds from the lake last year.
The plants choke the lake despite spending crores of rupees over the years to remove them.
From over a dozen boats fetching up to Rs.10,000 a day in cruise charge at one time, the fleet strength has come down to two each safari, speed and row boats and four pedal boats.
The boat club, the water park and the snack parlour have 25 workers.
Efforts of the Water Resources Department to desilt the canal at a cost of Rs.75 lakh and of the Inland Transport Wing to deepen it did not succeed.
District Collector Sanjay Kaul; K.G. Vijayakumar, Secretary of the council; and tourism, irrigation, harbour engineering and inland navigation officials accompanied the Minister.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Vijayakumar said after visiting the village to see the dismal conditions. He will apprise the Chief Minister of the need to convene the meeting.
“The 53 hectares of the water body has almost been taken over by water hyacinth. It seems as if the lake has disappeared. It is an adventure trip here and not a leisure cruise,” Mr. Vijayakumar, who took a boat ride, said.
“The lake needs to be protected for the development of the tourist village and to attract tourists in large numbers at the earliest.”
The 24-seater safari boat of the District Tourism Promotion Council, which carried the Minister, officials and presspersons, did not have fitness certificate. The council’s officials did not insist that the travellers wear the mandatory lifejackets, despite it being made available at the boat club.
Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who holds charge of Water Resources, said a recent hydrographic study had revealed that 10 lakh cubic feet of silt had to be removed from the lake to make it navigable.
Efforts would be made to obtain funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the protection of the lake.
The council, which manages the village and the boat club, carried out a drive to remove weeds from the lake last year.
The plants choke the lake despite spending crores of rupees over the years to remove them.
From over a dozen boats fetching up to Rs.10,000 a day in cruise charge at one time, the fleet strength has come down to two each safari, speed and row boats and four pedal boats.
The boat club, the water park and the snack parlour have 25 workers.
Efforts of the Water Resources Department to desilt the canal at a cost of Rs.75 lakh and of the Inland Transport Wing to deepen it did not succeed.
District Collector Sanjay Kaul; K.G. Vijayakumar, Secretary of the council; and tourism, irrigation, harbour engineering and inland navigation officials accompanied the Minister.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Kerala tourism ties up with Jet Airways
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala tourism and Jet Airways have joined hands to launch Jet2Kerala, a domestic travel initiative aimed at leveraging the two
brands and thereby boost tourist traffic into Kerala. Jet Airways and its all-economy subsidiary JetLite offer connectivity from all major parts of the country to Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode in Kerala.
The partnership has designed a range of holiday options in Kerala, packaged with Jet Airways tickets. Jet2Kerala will offer these packages which fall into a broad price range aimed at premium to value travelers. Accordingly, travelers can opt accommodation to suit their budget, from luxury properties to budget hotels and houseboats.
Kerala tourism secretary V Venu said despite the global downturn, international tourist traffic showed a 16.11% growth in 2008, and that Kerala tourism was focusing on the domestic market, given the increasing propensity for travel in this market.
Jet Airways chief commercial manager Sudheer Raghavan said the tie-up was part of the airline’s efforts to boost domestic travel and tourism, and that the “compelling value proposition would spur more travelers to visit Kerala this year”.
brands and thereby boost tourist traffic into Kerala. Jet Airways and its all-economy subsidiary JetLite offer connectivity from all major parts of the country to Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode in Kerala.
The partnership has designed a range of holiday options in Kerala, packaged with Jet Airways tickets. Jet2Kerala will offer these packages which fall into a broad price range aimed at premium to value travelers. Accordingly, travelers can opt accommodation to suit their budget, from luxury properties to budget hotels and houseboats.
Kerala tourism secretary V Venu said despite the global downturn, international tourist traffic showed a 16.11% growth in 2008, and that Kerala tourism was focusing on the domestic market, given the increasing propensity for travel in this market.
Jet Airways chief commercial manager Sudheer Raghavan said the tie-up was part of the airline’s efforts to boost domestic travel and tourism, and that the “compelling value proposition would spur more travelers to visit Kerala this year”.
Tourism policy to incorporate people’s view
Express News Service First Published : 14 May 2009 03:58:00 AM IS
TLast Updated : 14 May 2009 09:30:18 AM IST
BANGALORE: The much-delayed Karnataka Tourism Policy 2009 will incorporate the suggestions and recommendations made by the public, before it is placed before the cabinet for approval.
K Jyothiramalingam, principal secretary, department of tourism participating in the Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) meet on Wednesday said that though the Karnataka Tourism Policy draft was ready to be placed before the cabinet for approval, suggestions and responses from the public would be taken by placing the draft on the tourism department’s website.
“The delay in implementing the policy has been worth it as we want to ensure that suggestions from all quarters are taken. We have already had a detailed discussion with all the government departments, KTF, FKCCI and major hospitals in the state.
In order to improve upon it, we are also open to suggestions and responses before taking it to the cabinet for approval,” he said.
Jyothiramalingam added that in order to give tourism a major boost in both Karnataka and other southern states, the concept of a southern tourism forum will be formulated along with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry.
“In order to popularise the tourist destinations in the south, we will like to set up a southern tourism forum like the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur golden triangle in the north,” he said.
He also said that a slew of initiatives had been taken to improve the infrastructure facilities like roads and hotels at various tourist destinations.
“Airports in Gulbarga, Shimoga, Hassan and Bijapur have been identified. At Hampi, 15 acres of land have been given to Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Besides, an integrated management plan will be put in place by the end of June,” he said.
On the proposed night safari at Bannerghatta National Park, he said Rs 174 crore will spent for the purpose, which will make it better than the night safaris in Singapore.
What ails Karnataka tourism?
Lack of proper road connectivity, absence of highway restrooms, high service, sales and luxury taxes, absence of a proper tourism calendar, identity crisis, poor branding and the 11 pm deadline for bars are factors that ail Karnataka tourism.
Pramod Shankar, managing director of Pramod Shankar Associates, said that Karnataka suffered from an identity crisis and that the 11 pm deadline in cities like Bangalore had done little to improve its image.
TLast Updated : 14 May 2009 09:30:18 AM IST
BANGALORE: The much-delayed Karnataka Tourism Policy 2009 will incorporate the suggestions and recommendations made by the public, before it is placed before the cabinet for approval.
K Jyothiramalingam, principal secretary, department of tourism participating in the Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) meet on Wednesday said that though the Karnataka Tourism Policy draft was ready to be placed before the cabinet for approval, suggestions and responses from the public would be taken by placing the draft on the tourism department’s website.
“The delay in implementing the policy has been worth it as we want to ensure that suggestions from all quarters are taken. We have already had a detailed discussion with all the government departments, KTF, FKCCI and major hospitals in the state.
In order to improve upon it, we are also open to suggestions and responses before taking it to the cabinet for approval,” he said.
Jyothiramalingam added that in order to give tourism a major boost in both Karnataka and other southern states, the concept of a southern tourism forum will be formulated along with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry.
“In order to popularise the tourist destinations in the south, we will like to set up a southern tourism forum like the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur golden triangle in the north,” he said.
He also said that a slew of initiatives had been taken to improve the infrastructure facilities like roads and hotels at various tourist destinations.
“Airports in Gulbarga, Shimoga, Hassan and Bijapur have been identified. At Hampi, 15 acres of land have been given to Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Besides, an integrated management plan will be put in place by the end of June,” he said.
On the proposed night safari at Bannerghatta National Park, he said Rs 174 crore will spent for the purpose, which will make it better than the night safaris in Singapore.
What ails Karnataka tourism?
Lack of proper road connectivity, absence of highway restrooms, high service, sales and luxury taxes, absence of a proper tourism calendar, identity crisis, poor branding and the 11 pm deadline for bars are factors that ail Karnataka tourism.
Pramod Shankar, managing director of Pramod Shankar Associates, said that Karnataka suffered from an identity crisis and that the 11 pm deadline in cities like Bangalore had done little to improve its image.
Kerala Tourism to use mobile as media tool
R AyyappanFirst Published : 14 May 2009 11:22:29 AM IST
Last Updated : 14 May 2009 12:01:16 PM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism has found just the right media tool that will help it draw the maximum number of domestic tourists to the state. It is not the radio, or the television or even the computer. It is the mobile phone.
The Tourism Department will soon unveil its two-phase mobile strategy, the first-of-its-kind for any tourism destination. In phase-I, the launch of which will coincide with the commencement of the monsoon, the Department will run a three-month `Discover Unseen Kerala’ contest on GPRS-enabled mobile phones. Users have to identify the unseen locations featured on the `mobsite’ and also answer questions about Kerala.
The winner will get a fully paid trip to some of the finest destinations in the state. Mobile users will be led to Kerala Tourism’s `mobsite’ through advertisements parked strategically in various mobile ad networks. The database of mobile users collected during phase-I will be the capital of phase-II. The mobile group formed from the database of phase-I will charge phase-II. During this phase, the members of the Kerala Tourism mobile group will be fed with regular mobile alerts about Kerala Tourism, especially about its new packages.
But that’s not the exciting part. Once the group achieves a certain critical mass the members will be encouraged to upload their photos and comments on the Kerala Tourism mobile site,’’ said Sanjay Vijayakumar, the CEO of MobME Wireless Solutions, the start-up that supports Kerala Tourism’s mobile strategy.
This interactive approach is in line with the Tourism Department’s objective to make content related to Kerala Tourism participatory. ``A tourist’s first-hand experience carries more authenticity than the polished words in a travel brochure. And because these first-person accounts are believable, they are infinitely more compelling too,’’ Tourism Director M Shivshankar said. The participatory aspect of the strategy, however, will be impelemented only after a proper database is collected.
Kerala Tourism’s mobile strategy has been inspired by the following facts. One, currently there are over 350 million mobile users in the country. Two, over 10 million users are added to this number every month. And three, there are more people accessing the internet through the mobile than the computer.
The Department, in fact, had tested the potency of mobile phones as a media tool four months ago, to boost its `Dream Season’ campaign. ``Then we had done an SMS ShortCode-based campaign for Dream Season. The objective was limited, just to generate leads. The response was overwhelming. So we thought of scaling up the operation,’’ Shivshankar said.
Last Updated : 14 May 2009 12:01:16 PM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism has found just the right media tool that will help it draw the maximum number of domestic tourists to the state. It is not the radio, or the television or even the computer. It is the mobile phone.
The Tourism Department will soon unveil its two-phase mobile strategy, the first-of-its-kind for any tourism destination. In phase-I, the launch of which will coincide with the commencement of the monsoon, the Department will run a three-month `Discover Unseen Kerala’ contest on GPRS-enabled mobile phones. Users have to identify the unseen locations featured on the `mobsite’ and also answer questions about Kerala.
The winner will get a fully paid trip to some of the finest destinations in the state. Mobile users will be led to Kerala Tourism’s `mobsite’ through advertisements parked strategically in various mobile ad networks. The database of mobile users collected during phase-I will be the capital of phase-II. The mobile group formed from the database of phase-I will charge phase-II. During this phase, the members of the Kerala Tourism mobile group will be fed with regular mobile alerts about Kerala Tourism, especially about its new packages.
But that’s not the exciting part. Once the group achieves a certain critical mass the members will be encouraged to upload their photos and comments on the Kerala Tourism mobile site,’’ said Sanjay Vijayakumar, the CEO of MobME Wireless Solutions, the start-up that supports Kerala Tourism’s mobile strategy.
This interactive approach is in line with the Tourism Department’s objective to make content related to Kerala Tourism participatory. ``A tourist’s first-hand experience carries more authenticity than the polished words in a travel brochure. And because these first-person accounts are believable, they are infinitely more compelling too,’’ Tourism Director M Shivshankar said. The participatory aspect of the strategy, however, will be impelemented only after a proper database is collected.
Kerala Tourism’s mobile strategy has been inspired by the following facts. One, currently there are over 350 million mobile users in the country. Two, over 10 million users are added to this number every month. And three, there are more people accessing the internet through the mobile than the computer.
The Department, in fact, had tested the potency of mobile phones as a media tool four months ago, to boost its `Dream Season’ campaign. ``Then we had done an SMS ShortCode-based campaign for Dream Season. The objective was limited, just to generate leads. The response was overwhelming. So we thought of scaling up the operation,’’ Shivshankar said.
Imaginative response can help tourism rebound, says book
14 May 2009, 0352 hrs IST, Himanshi Dhawan, TNN
NEW DELHI: At a time when tourism in India struggles under the impact of the economic downturn and the Mumbai terror attacks, there is reason to
believe that the wanderlust in people will be enthused again. But what is required in this hour of gloom is an imaginative, succinct response to the crisis, similar to the Incredible India campaign launched by the tourism ministry after the double whammy of September 11 attack in the US and Parliament attack in December 2001.
The present crisis also presents an opportunity, advocates `Branding India: An Incredible Story' written by Kerala's principal secretary and special commissioner (industries) Amitabh Kant.
Kant, in his earlier stint as joint secretary in the Union tourism ministry, was a key driver of the most successful tourism marketing campaigns -- the Incredible India campaign. In the 261-page book, he outlines the success story that began in Kerala's backwaters and changed the world's perception of the country.
"The Incredible India campaign emerged from the crisis that confronted Indian tourism in 2001-02. The 2008 terror attack requires a cohesive, concerted response. Till the mid-nineties, Kerala was nowhere close to being a tourism destination. Its emergence in great measure was due to traffic diversion from the terror prone Jammu and Kashmir," Kant says.
While pointing out that India's foreign exchange earnings, that were $3 billion in 2002 had shot up to $11.5 billion in 2008, Kant says, "I have no doubt that the tourism industry will be resilient and bounce back as it did post-September 2001. Tourism has a unique capacity to adapt and survive. It has constantly demonstrated its extraordinary resistance and ability to overcome crisis. External events impact tourism only temporarily -- they redistribute it geographically and alter product use but are not able to bring it to a halt. The need for travel, for business as well as leisure, is an intrinsic part of our lives."
The book accesses recent data to make the point. A VISA/PATA Asia Pacific Travel intentions survey `Determining Travel Preferences in 2009 and Beyond' found that while global economic scenario will impact tourism, it is unlikely to bring travel to a standstill. It establishes that travellers will be more creative in their selection of destinations. Incidentally, the survey found that only 36% will postpone their travel as a result of economic uncertainty.
In the Indian context, the author feels that the vast potential of tourism as an employment creator and wealth distributor still remains untapped. Comparing it to the software industry, Kant says the size of the tourism industry worldwide is $4.6 trillion whereas the software industry globally is a mere $500 billion. The tourism industry globally generates over 250 million jobs whereas the software industry generates only 20 million jobs. As India grows and expands its base in travel and tourism, it will generate many more jobs and the sector will become a major catalyst for India's growth, he predicts.
NEW DELHI: At a time when tourism in India struggles under the impact of the economic downturn and the Mumbai terror attacks, there is reason to
believe that the wanderlust in people will be enthused again. But what is required in this hour of gloom is an imaginative, succinct response to the crisis, similar to the Incredible India campaign launched by the tourism ministry after the double whammy of September 11 attack in the US and Parliament attack in December 2001.
The present crisis also presents an opportunity, advocates `Branding India: An Incredible Story' written by Kerala's principal secretary and special commissioner (industries) Amitabh Kant.
Kant, in his earlier stint as joint secretary in the Union tourism ministry, was a key driver of the most successful tourism marketing campaigns -- the Incredible India campaign. In the 261-page book, he outlines the success story that began in Kerala's backwaters and changed the world's perception of the country.
"The Incredible India campaign emerged from the crisis that confronted Indian tourism in 2001-02. The 2008 terror attack requires a cohesive, concerted response. Till the mid-nineties, Kerala was nowhere close to being a tourism destination. Its emergence in great measure was due to traffic diversion from the terror prone Jammu and Kashmir," Kant says.
While pointing out that India's foreign exchange earnings, that were $3 billion in 2002 had shot up to $11.5 billion in 2008, Kant says, "I have no doubt that the tourism industry will be resilient and bounce back as it did post-September 2001. Tourism has a unique capacity to adapt and survive. It has constantly demonstrated its extraordinary resistance and ability to overcome crisis. External events impact tourism only temporarily -- they redistribute it geographically and alter product use but are not able to bring it to a halt. The need for travel, for business as well as leisure, is an intrinsic part of our lives."
The book accesses recent data to make the point. A VISA/PATA Asia Pacific Travel intentions survey `Determining Travel Preferences in 2009 and Beyond' found that while global economic scenario will impact tourism, it is unlikely to bring travel to a standstill. It establishes that travellers will be more creative in their selection of destinations. Incidentally, the survey found that only 36% will postpone their travel as a result of economic uncertainty.
In the Indian context, the author feels that the vast potential of tourism as an employment creator and wealth distributor still remains untapped. Comparing it to the software industry, Kant says the size of the tourism industry worldwide is $4.6 trillion whereas the software industry globally is a mere $500 billion. The tourism industry globally generates over 250 million jobs whereas the software industry generates only 20 million jobs. As India grows and expands its base in travel and tourism, it will generate many more jobs and the sector will become a major catalyst for India's growth, he predicts.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Kerala Tourism tie-up with Jet Airways
Last Updated : 12 May 2009 10:29:37 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism will enter into a partnership with Jet Airways on May 12 to reduce air fares for domestic tourists flying to the State.
As per the agreement, Jet Airways will set apart 20 seats in all its domestic flights to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram for Kerala-bound holidayers and price it 20-30 percent lower than the going rates. The lower rates will be available on Jet Airways flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. There will be at least five Jet Airways flights to the state a day.Exorbitantly high air fares to the state have worked as a major put-off for domeistc tourists. Fares were so high that it was cheaper for a tourist from Delhi to fly to a foreign destination like Sri Lanka or Mauritius than to the State.
``This partnership will considerably lower air fares. And the programme is already online. A tourist can avail of the facility right now. The formal launch though will take place on Tuesday in Mumbai,’’ said Tourism Principal Secretary Dr V Venu who will be flying to Mumbai for the event.
Dr Venu said the discount would be offered only to holidayers.
``Our objective is to attract more tourists to the state during the domestic season,’’ the Principal Secretary said. This partnership, according to him, will supplement the positive response to the Dream Season campaign the Tourism Department had launched two years ago to pep up the off-season.
The lower air fares are offered through hotels and tour operators. ``They have to register at the Kerala Tourism website to offer the discounted rates to their clients,’’ Dr Venu said.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Irish native’s testimonial story: Sleeve gastrectomy at Bangalore in India
Henry Knight, an Irish man recently traveled to Bangalore to get for getting sleeve gastrectomy in India. This native of Ireland was morbidly obese and desired to get considerable body weight reduction within the shortest time. The doctors suggested him for a sleeve gastrectomy surgery in India. But Henry had to wait for another two months to get the surgeon’s appointment. He didn’t want to wait for such a long time. One of his friends told him about the medical tourism in India where surgery costs are low and patients get quick appointments. So Henry came in contacted a medical tourism consultancy which helped to get a medical appointment for his sleeve gastrectomy in India at Bangalore. Indian obesity surgeons performed the surgery procedure very well under the support and care of the best medically trained hospital staff. After a 3 days post operative stay at the Indian hospital Henry returned to Ireland. Now after 5 months of getting an affordable price sleeve gastrectomy in India he has started seeing the weight reduction benefits within himself.
Sleeve gastrectomy also called gastric sleeve surgery is done to reduce weight by controlling the appetite. In the procedure of sleeve gastrectomy a large portion of stomach is removed and the size of stomach is reduced to 35% from its original size. The open edges are attached to form a sleeve or tube shaped curve, this is done in order to make the feeling of fullness of the stomach even after eating little food and thus reducing the appetite. The outcome and benefits of sleeve gastrectomy comes with quick weight loss, little risks, like leakage dilation of the sleeve etc. Sleeve gastrectomy has a less time of operation than other traditional weight reduction procedures like roux-n-gastric bypass surgery and the recovery period of sleeve gastrectomy is also less. The price of sleeves gastrectomy may vary from country to country and may be less at a medical destination where its popularity is in its initial phase. Weight reduction is becoming an important health requirement for all persons today as excess body weight gives rise to additional health ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and blood sugar and sleeve gastrectomy is likely to serve as a reliable weight reduction procedure with a less risk and quick successful outcome.
Obesity surgery hospitals of Bangalore are providing outpatient weight reduction procedures like sleeve gastrectomy in India with latest medical care facilities at a less price. India has now become the medical hub of the world. The medical services in India are of international standard and the patients can actually afford these services at a low cost. Like Mr. Henry many international patients are many to India to get sleeve gastrectomy in India. Medical tourism in India also offers tourism packages like visit to tourist places like Kerala. Quality of medical services is provided to the patients at a very low cost
Sleeve gastrectomy also called gastric sleeve surgery is done to reduce weight by controlling the appetite. In the procedure of sleeve gastrectomy a large portion of stomach is removed and the size of stomach is reduced to 35% from its original size. The open edges are attached to form a sleeve or tube shaped curve, this is done in order to make the feeling of fullness of the stomach even after eating little food and thus reducing the appetite. The outcome and benefits of sleeve gastrectomy comes with quick weight loss, little risks, like leakage dilation of the sleeve etc. Sleeve gastrectomy has a less time of operation than other traditional weight reduction procedures like roux-n-gastric bypass surgery and the recovery period of sleeve gastrectomy is also less. The price of sleeves gastrectomy may vary from country to country and may be less at a medical destination where its popularity is in its initial phase. Weight reduction is becoming an important health requirement for all persons today as excess body weight gives rise to additional health ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and blood sugar and sleeve gastrectomy is likely to serve as a reliable weight reduction procedure with a less risk and quick successful outcome.
Obesity surgery hospitals of Bangalore are providing outpatient weight reduction procedures like sleeve gastrectomy in India with latest medical care facilities at a less price. India has now become the medical hub of the world. The medical services in India are of international standard and the patients can actually afford these services at a low cost. Like Mr. Henry many international patients are many to India to get sleeve gastrectomy in India. Medical tourism in India also offers tourism packages like visit to tourist places like Kerala. Quality of medical services is provided to the patients at a very low cost
Man swims 1.5 km in choppy sea waters with hands and legs tied
Kannur , May 10 In an adventurous feat, a Kerala Tourism Life Guard personnel swam nearly 1.5 km with both his hands and feet tied with a rope in the choppy Arabian Sea waters off the Payyambalam Beach here today.
Ratheesh R Cheriazhikal, who had already entered the Limca Book of Records for his host of adventurous feats in waters across Kerala, swam to the Payyambalam beach where large number of people had assembled to witness the event.
Hosted by the Kerala Tourism Life Guard Union, affiliated to the CITU, Ratheesh was first taken in a boat to the sea off the Payyambalam Beach here this evening.
Ratheesh, hailing from Kollam, had taken part in similar display of adventure from Chavara Dhavalapara bridge to Shakthi Kulangara Harbour in 2004 and swam three km distance from Azhikal Tsunami Memorial Column in 2005. He also hosted the national flag in the sea on the independence day in 2008.
Today&aposs event was flagged off by Kasaragod MP P Karunakaran and presided over by the CITU state president K P Sahadevan.
Source: PTI
Ratheesh R Cheriazhikal, who had already entered the Limca Book of Records for his host of adventurous feats in waters across Kerala, swam to the Payyambalam beach where large number of people had assembled to witness the event.
Hosted by the Kerala Tourism Life Guard Union, affiliated to the CITU, Ratheesh was first taken in a boat to the sea off the Payyambalam Beach here this evening.
Ratheesh, hailing from Kollam, had taken part in similar display of adventure from Chavara Dhavalapara bridge to Shakthi Kulangara Harbour in 2004 and swam three km distance from Azhikal Tsunami Memorial Column in 2005. He also hosted the national flag in the sea on the independence day in 2008.
Today&aposs event was flagged off by Kasaragod MP P Karunakaran and presided over by the CITU state president K P Sahadevan.
Source: PTI
Kovalam beach to be beautified
Thiruvananthapuram, Monday 11 May 2009: The Rs.2.73-crore beautification work, being carried out by Kerala Tourism in Kovalam, has entered the last phase. It will be completed before the forthcoming monsoon.
Taken up under the Centrally-sponsored tsunami rehabilitation project, the works being executed by the Harbour Engineering Department are meant to give a facelift to the famed Light House and Eve’s beaches. “The works are in full swing,” an official of the Harbour Engineering Department said.
The strengthening of the 900-metre paved walkway from near Hotel Sea Face to the Light House, ravaged by tsunami and sea erosion, has entered the last phase. Gabion boxes are being used to strengthen the walkway. The box will hold together the rubble inside and prevent it from being washed away by ravaging waves. The department had already linked the gabion boxes to the damaged stretches of the existing walkway.
The work on the two police aid posts has also commenced. One of the aid posts is coming up in the middle of the Light House beach and the second one near the steps leading to the lighthouse. The lifeguard station is being set up at Edakkal rocks so that the life-guards on duty can monitor tourists in the two beaches.
Construction of a toilet block, which is also part of the scheme, will be taken up only after the Vizhinjam panchayat identifies the land and hands it over to the department, he said.
Works on the 200-metre paved walkway from Hotel Sea Face to the narrow path that leads to Kovalam palace junction and the open-air amphitheatre will not be taken up for the time being. The amphitheatre was proposed to come up in the parking area facing the Eve’s beach.
According to the official, the land meant for this belongs to a leading hotel group that has taken over the erstwhile ITDC Ashok beach resort.
Taken up under the Centrally-sponsored tsunami rehabilitation project, the works being executed by the Harbour Engineering Department are meant to give a facelift to the famed Light House and Eve’s beaches. “The works are in full swing,” an official of the Harbour Engineering Department said.
The strengthening of the 900-metre paved walkway from near Hotel Sea Face to the Light House, ravaged by tsunami and sea erosion, has entered the last phase. Gabion boxes are being used to strengthen the walkway. The box will hold together the rubble inside and prevent it from being washed away by ravaging waves. The department had already linked the gabion boxes to the damaged stretches of the existing walkway.
The work on the two police aid posts has also commenced. One of the aid posts is coming up in the middle of the Light House beach and the second one near the steps leading to the lighthouse. The lifeguard station is being set up at Edakkal rocks so that the life-guards on duty can monitor tourists in the two beaches.
Construction of a toilet block, which is also part of the scheme, will be taken up only after the Vizhinjam panchayat identifies the land and hands it over to the department, he said.
Works on the 200-metre paved walkway from Hotel Sea Face to the narrow path that leads to Kovalam palace junction and the open-air amphitheatre will not be taken up for the time being. The amphitheatre was proposed to come up in the parking area facing the Eve’s beach.
According to the official, the land meant for this belongs to a leading hotel group that has taken over the erstwhile ITDC Ashok beach resort.
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