Kerala’s new Tourism Policy 2017, includes creation of new customised products for attracting young travellers, professionals, students and artists to the state. The policy emphasises on the participation of the differently-abled and transgenders, while implementing the Responsible Tourism Mission across the God’s Own Country to promote the tourism sector.
The Department of Tourism has also proposed to establish a Kerala Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA) to ensure quality service for tourists and curb unhealthy practices in the tourism sector. An investment cell would be formed to help potential investors, especially NRIs.
Speaking about the objective of new policy, Kadakampally Surendran, Honorable Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism and Devaswom, Government of Kerala said, “There is an immediate need to improve the infrastructure facilities across various destinations of the state. The new policy aims to address the key issues of the tourism industry in cooperation with the local bodies such as waste management and renovation of roads. The state has immense tourism potential to attract travellers from all corners of the world.”
“Following the Responsible Tourism Mission, Kerala Tourism has guided all the regional bodies and authorities concerned to implement and follow the Green Protocol at all the destinations of Kerala,” he further added.
Keeping in line with travel trends, Kerala Tourism will also allow travellers to experience the rural life for a raw travelling experience. Following the lining up of new marketing strategies, the department has proposed to establish 1,000 new classified homestays to promote homestays and rural tourism.
Speaking about the development plans, P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism, and Managing Director, Kannur International Airport said, “With the aim to implement ‘Barrier Free Kerala Tourism’ this year, Kerala Tourism has planned to initiate new infrastructure development projects in order to create accessible and friendly spaces to the differently abled, elderly tourists and transgenders.”
The state has been actively promoting tourism through different campaigns. Tourism policies in Kerala have also evolved, with the introduction of more technology-oriented initiatives focused on the exclusivity of each destination.
