Tag Archives: Kerala

A unique integrated limited validity tourist pass has been introduced by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal in Association with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to facilitate easy and convenient access initially to 21 places of tourist interest across Kolkata for both domestic and international tourists visiting the city of joy. This project has been initiated by the Department of Tourism as part of the FAITH policy recommendations and will soon be made available online or obtained through recognized tour operators or at any other authorized POS. The access and the validity of the pass will be managed digitally through a specially designed QR-based application. The visitor can pick and choose the places of interest and obtain the same through an online payment. Truly an effective and meaningful initiative and I am super delighted to be part of this project.

The Kerala government is planning to create a woman-friendly tourism network with over one lakh women travellers and entrepreneurs as members, said state tourism minister P A Mohammed Riyas. More than 1000 women have already registered in the programme. 

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, Tourism, Culture & DoNER held a review meeting with officials of Ministry of Tourism, ASI, Ministry of Culture, Institute of Hotel Management and Cochin Port Trust in Kochi, Kerala . He also reviewed various projects of Ministry of Tourism and Culture including the commemoration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Spree Hospitality launches its bold and unconventional brand with the opening of Zip by Spree Hotels Mangala Towers in Thrissur, Kerala. This 4-star property is located near Thrissur business centers and is one of the top business hotels, fully equipped to meet corporate and business needs.

Kerala Tourism launched its 24×7 WhatsApp chatbot ‘Maya’ to enable tourists to access all information and updates about the tourism ecosystem in the state. Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas said “Maya will serve as a virtual travel assistant for tourists to ask and get complete information they need for a hassle-free travel experience in the state”. 

Kerala Tourism Minister Riyas, speaking at a press conference in Dubai on the sidelines of the Kerala Week at Expo 2020, said the state is eager to collaborate with UAE-based investors and Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) in writing a new story of growth and development in key sectors, particularly tourism, as the state recovers from the covid-induced crisis.

Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas unveiled the logo for the ‘Fam 2 Malabar 500’ initiative, that will bring around 500 tour operators from India and abroad to the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kasaragod this year to familiarise themselves with the region’s potential as a vibrant tourism hub.

Kerala Government has made registration mandatory for service providers in the Adventure Tourism sector for conducting a wide range of land, water and air-related activities to ensure their quality and safety. Tourism Director V R Krishna Teja said Kerala considered adventure tourism as a highly promising segment, especially in the post-pandemic surge. “By introducing the registration system, foolproof safety and standard will be achieved in the sector, which will help Kerala to attract more tourists to this sector with utmost confidence,” he said.

Rising to the demands and preferences of tourists in the post-pandemic world, Kerala announced a comprehensive, stakeholder-friendly Caravan Tourism Policy, promising the visitors safe, customized and closest-to-nature travel experience. The two major components of this activity are Tourism Caravans and Caravan Parks. While the first involves specially- built vehicles for travel, leisure and stay, the Caravan Parks are designated places to park the vehicles and enable the visitors to spend a night or a day or station for an extended period to explore the destination.

With the country reeling under the havoc caused by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, tour operators in Kerala have come to the rescue. Amidst shortage of oxygen, ambulances and other medical supplies, these tour operators in the state are now converting their buses and vans into ambulances fitted with oxygen cylinders, many offering the service free of charge.