Seeking to hike tourism, Kerala steps ahead to ensure safety of tourists

Thiruvananthapuram, March 9: Kerala’s tourism hiked in ‘tourists’ arrivals’ this year. State government said foreign exchange earnings from tourist arrivals in the State stood at Rs 8,392.11 Crore in 2017, a growth of 8.29% when compared to the figures of the previous year. Kerala is stepping ahead to ensure safety of tourists arriving in Kerala. 

In a bid to enhance the safety and security of tourists in Kerala, the state government has formed a Kerala Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA), an official said.

"To ensure the accomplishment of a target of 100% increase in arrival of foreign tourists and 50% in domestic tourists in 5 years, a tourism regulatory authority has been formed. This would help put a stop to any unhealthy practices and guarantee better intervention of the Tourism Department through scrutiny and licensing system," Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said in a statement.

"The body will be part of the tourism policy," Jafar Malik, Additional Director, Department of Kerala Tourism.

"Whenever a tourist visits a place, the primary concern is whether I will be safe and secure there. Kerala being an educated society and having a high literacy rate is already peaceful. There are no law and order issues normally. But when a tourist visits, he will expect more than that," Malik said.

"There are lots of single women, international tourists roaming in the streets and visiting places without any kind of fear. That kind of situation has come only because of these kinds of initiatives," he added.

The state government wanted a department to solely focus on safety and security, as well as to ensure that hotels have proper licenses.

"Fifty per cent increase (of domestic tourists) is not a great number in tourism sector. But that is what we have set for next few years... Even if we are not ... promoting Kerala tourism, people will come to Kerala by word of mouth. In order to enhance that, we are doing all of this," Malik stated.

God’s own country Kerala has always welcomed tourists with its exotic attractions and over warmly gesture. Tourism is Kerala has always been in news and therefore the state government is aiming to double international tourist pace in the next five years. The Department of tourism in the state is also expecting domestic tourism to increase by 50% during the same time frame.