BBC, Russian channel to promote Kerala tourism

BBC and NTV Broadcasting Company, said to be the largest non-governmental TV network of Russia, will host shows on Kerala's nature, culture, and the mouth-watering cuisine for global audiences.

The shows -- "The Travel Show" on BBC World and "Let's go, let's eat" on NTV -- will be shot in different parts of Kerala as part of familiarisation trips organised by Kerala Tourism.

"Kerala Tourism regularly organises trips for renowned travel writers, journalists, TV crews and tour operators. As the New Year begins, we are privileged to host shows on two of the most popular channels," said Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar.

The BBC team with programme editor Mike London, producer Dawn Layke and presenter Henry Golding have arrived on a six-day tour of Kerala. They will check out the backwaters, homestays, and village life in Alappuzha and Kochi.

To highlight the aspect of responsible tourism, the TV crew will capture details on shell collection in Alappuzha, and study the nuances of Kathakali make-up in Kochi.

Kerala Tourism will organise a coconut tree climbing competition, which will also be filmed by the television crew.

The competition will be in two parts -- between traditional climbers and men versus machines.

Tourism Secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, during a visit last year to London, met British parliament members to discuss tourism in Kerala and also visited BBC offices.

The NTV team of a culinary and ethnographic project will be in the state from January 15 to 18 and will cover places like Kochi, Kumarakom, Varkala and Thiruvananthapuram.

The NTV team comprises producer-director Abramov Alexander, presenter John Warren, scriptwriter Yuzefova Violetta, and cameramen Markin Artem and Pan Lev.