30 bloggers from 29 countries begins Kerala exploration

Thirty influential online travel writers from around the world today began a fifteen day long exploration of 'God's Own Country'.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran flagged off the fourth edition of Kerala Blog Express from Bolgatty Palace in Kochi as part of a campaign to present the state to a wider international audience.
"The Blog Express is an innovation that we have pioneered and we will continue to raise the bar for tourism marketing in the future," Surendran said.
Blog Express initiative have definitely augmented the destination pull of Kerala and given an impetus to building and sustaining the tempo of tourism growth, a sector which is so crucial for Kerala's economy.

"I hope as participants you enjoy this trip and share the wonderful stories and culture of our land with international audience," he added.
The 30 bloggers this year represent 29 countries and all the continents, and were selected through a voting system with over 38,000 votes garnered online.

They will traverse hills, beaches, backwaters and experience life in villages and cities, as part of the award-winning promotional campaign of Kerala Tourism.
Besides the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, travel writers from Europe this year include from regions such as Moldova and Gibraltar.
Kerala Blog Express 4 will travel through Alleppey, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod before completing its journey on April 3 in Thirvananthapuram, where the guests will be given a grand farewell by the Tourism department.