Tag Archives: P Bala Kiran

The Tourism Department of Kerala has commenced the registration process for the fifth edition of Kerala Blog Express (KBE) to kick-start in March 2018. Aspiring bloggers have already started promoting their KBE profiles on social media to get maximum votes by their followers by January 2018. The selection process is in such a way that the submission forms uploaded by the bloggers from around the world would be reviewed by a panel. Post approval, the bloggers’ profiles would be up for voting. As soon as the bloggers get approval, they could share their Kerala Blog Express profiles among friends and followers to seek votes in their favour. Post evaluation by a panel of judges, names of final participants of ‘Kerala Blog Express 5’ would be announced. P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism, stated, “Encouraged by the success of the previous edition of Kerala Blog Express, we are optimistic to receive the maximum number of entries this year. The tourism department has made this initiative unique by combining various aspects such as campaign on social media, familiarisation trip, bloggers’ meet and road trip in a major way.”

Jatayu Earth’s Center – Kerala’s first build–operate–transfer (BOT) model ecotourism project, ‘Adventure Rock Hill’, is now open for visitors. Located at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala, the Jatayupara Nature Park was rechristened as Jatayu Earth’s Center. Covering four hills in Chadayamangalam, there are few more ventures pending to make the Nature Park fully operational by April 2018. Adventure Rock Hill is open for a group of 10-100 people, with entry of Rs 3500 per person. Spread across 65 acres, it offers abundant activities like camping, rock climbing, trekking, 6D theatre, a virtual reality museum, a Siddha and an Ayurvedic cave resort. The key highlight of the Jatayu Earth Centre is the world’s largest bird sculpture, which has an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Rajiv Anchal, Concept Designer, Chairman and Managing Director, Jatayu Earth’s Center, stated, “Considered as a glorious example of eco-friendly tourism in India, the center is a result of 10 years of sustained dedication. ‘Jatayu’ symbolises an era when humans and other living beings cared for each other and lived together peacefully.” P. Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, said, “From adventure enthusiasts to families, young generation of travellers to couples, this tourist spot caters to a wide audience. The center allows the tourists to have thrilling experiences, while exploring the natural beauty of the place.”  

As part of implementing responsible tourism initiatives in the state, the Kerala Tourism department organised a workshop in Thiruvananthapuram.  P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism and Managing Director of Kannur International Airport elaborated on the new Tourism Policy, Responsible Tourism and the Green Carpet Action Plan formulated by the government at the workshop. He said, “The Tourism policy 2017 implementation will commence with the implementation of Green Carpet action plan 2017-18. Also, the tourism department shall implement Green Protocol in all 78 locations by Dec 15th.” Speaking on the Green Carpet Action Plan, P. Bala Kiran said that the action plan has been formulated by including nine agendas by inculcating the points from the total 16 agendas that is being discussed and deliberated upon worldwide. The Green Carpet Action Plan, in fact, aims at transforming the tourism sector in Kerala into different travel-friendly destinations. The plan is being implemented by imbibing the points in the new tourism policy. The general development aspects that have been put forward by the Tourism policy, the Green Kerala Mission and Responsible Tourism are being implemented in this regard, he said. Pointing out that Responsible Tourism forms the crux of the state government’s tourism policy. The features incorporated are People-friendliness, Nature-friendliness and aspects that remain socially acceptable. The projects and schemes undertaken toe a well charted out roadmap.

The Tourism Department of Kerala has launched a marketing campaign “#GoKerala” in association with HolidayIQ, India’s largest travel community, in order to promote state tourism. Under this campaign, five couples will get a chance to win a 10 days, all-expense paid trip to Kerala. Speaking about the campaign, P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism and Managing Director, Kannur International Airport said, “Kerala Tourism has always sought new and innovative marketing avenues to build Kerala as the top tourism brand and destination. Hence, we are excited to partner with Holiday where they have provided an innovative concept to invite real travellers with varying preferences from their vast travel community to experience the beauty and hospitality of Kerala and Kerala Tourism department.” #GoKerala campaign is a content-led, multiple-platform campaign with a dedicated microsite, integrated touchpoints and targeted reach. The experiential campaign, unlike traditional marketing campaigns, is completely powered by the holiday experiences and reviews of travellers across the country. “A holiday itinerary, specially curated by Kerala Tourism and HolidayIQ, will show these travellers a Kerala beyond its backwaters and mere honeymoon destination to being a wholesome family destination – a true taste of God’s own country!” P. Bala Kiran further added. The campaign has been live on all social platforms and receiving overwhelming response from travellers across the country, looking for the perfect destination to holiday this winter season. The idea is to promote and showcase unexplored destinations of Kerala and position Kerala as a family holiday destination across the country. Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Rawal, Head of Brand Solutions, Holiday said, “As India’s first and largest travel community, HolidayIQ has always been a pioneer in bringing experiential marketing to the …

Giving a new lease of life to the responsible tourism initiatives in the state of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala, has launched a mission dedicated to responsible and sustainable tourism. The Responsible Tourism Mission is a first in the world and would lead Kerala Tourism through people-friendly, local community-friendly and environment-friendly initiatives ensuring rural development, employment opportunities and women empowerment. Presiding over the launch function was Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism, Kerala, while K Suresh Kurup, MLA and Jose K Mani were the Chief Guests. Dr Venu V, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism delivered the welcome speech and P Bala Kiran, Director of Tourism presented the Responsible Tourism Mission project. K Rupesh Kumar, Coordinator, State Responsible Tourism Mission announced the new Responsible tourism destinations. Dr. Venu V said that it’s a proud moment for all of them. “Responsible Tourism that started off in Kumarakom is now a world-renowned concept and a point of discussion across the globe. It’s definitely a proud moment for us to be a pioneer in setting up this concept so effectively. Within a span of 9 years, 16 crores are the profit Kumarakom could gain through tourism. Around 1.16 crore revenue is generated by the localities. The reason behind this growth is the involvement as a group by the communities around.” The aim of RT is to create 1.5 lakh jobs in the future, added Dr Venu V. Surendran, said, “To be the pioneer state in practising the concept of Responsible Tourism in the entire country is a proud moment. The government policy is to make tourism more popular. Apart from improving the functioning of the elite class, the government also aims to use …

With the aim to increase the geographical spread of arrivals to the state, Kerala Tourism plans to promote its Malabar region aggressively through a Rs 325 crore project. This includes unexplored destinations such as Kozhikode, Wayanand, Bekal and Kannur. This was revealed by P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. He says, “To promote river cruise, the Government of Kerala has envisioned a Rs 300-crore project for nine rivers in Kannur and Kasaragod. In order to ease travel for international tourists, Cochin International Airport has been entrusted to execute the cruise tourism project by forming a Special Purpose Vehicle. In addition, the state government is planning to develop a few adventure parks as well. The government has allocated Rs. 45 crore for the Prasadam project in Kasaragod and Rs 120 crore for Green Carpet scheme for Alappuzha, Enranjil, Neyyar and Thenmala.” The state government also plans to develop 10 eco-tourism circuits to connect various forests in order to promote green tourism.  

Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala won the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association Grand and Gold Award 2017 for the Film Tourism Brochure in Marketing Media – Consumer Travel Brochure category. P Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala received the award at the 32nd edition of the PATA Awards as the committee recognised its marketing strategy, which boosted Kerala as a must-visit destination. The PATA awards were presented to the best entries in four categories – Marketing, Education and Training, Environment and Heritage and Culture. PATA had received 220 entries from 77 organisations and individuals from different corners of the world for the category that Kerala Tourism bagged the honours. After receiving the award, Bala Kiran said, “The award has given us the opportunity to showcase the picturesque locations to a global audience that Kerala has to offer. Picturesque backwaters, pristine beaches, dreamy hill stations & exotic wildlife are the key attractions to shoot any form of media. This award is a testimony of the innovative marketing initiatives and promotional activities undertaken by the tourism department of Kerala.” “Film tourism also contribute to the overall economic development of the respective destination through income generation, investment, job creation, etc. We at Kerala Tourism are committed towards promoting tourism in a responsible manner,” he concluded.