Kerala eyeing double-digit growth in tourism

Backed by several new initiatives, Kerala is targeting double-digit growth in tourist inflow this year, an official said here Friday.

Kerala tourism has also launched aggressive campaigns, including countrywide road-shows, to promote its various destinations.

"The tourist inflow has been growing by nearly 7-8 percent annually," Tourist Information Officer (Kerala Tourism) T.V. Prasanth told reporters here.

"With our new initiatives Seaplane and Muziris projects as well as the Spice Route project, we hope the tourist inflow this year will witness double-digit growth," Prasanth said.

The Seaplane Project provides an additional layer of transportation by offering last-mile connectivity by air to the renowned destinations of the state.

The Muziris project aims to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris.

"With this (project), we are endeavouring to promote awareness and understanding of the cultural distinctiveness and diversity of Muziris," said Prasanth.

About the Spice Route project which has got support of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Prasanth said it aims to share the heritage among 31 countries along the ancient route.

The initiative is expected to bring in a substantial number of foreign tourists to Kerala to trace the historic journey.

The Spice Route project, which got parliament's nod earlier this year, is expected to be launched later this year.