The tour packages that are intended to promote pilgrimage tourism would soon be introduced in the State and the packages would be implemented by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), said Mr. A.P. Anil Kumar, Minister for Tourism.
The proposed project would initially launch three tour packages, of which one would be based in the Thiruvananthapuram district and would cover the pilgrim spots of Varkala and Santhigiri Ashram among others. Another would include Kadampuzha and Guruvayur, while the third would include Bharananganam and Malayattoor.
The tourism spots of Wagamon, Aruvikkuzhi and Ilavizha Poonjira would be developed and linked with one another to form a tourism circuit. Efforts will be made by the government to develop the circuit into the best trekking centre in the State. The government had sanctioned Rs.75 lakh towards the beautification of Thazhathangadi and for the development of a tourist amenity centre at Puthuppally.
The Minister said the potential of responsible tourism was yet to be fully tapped in the State. Although the programme had been launched at Kovalam, Kumarakom, Wayanad and Thekkady, it had been successful to a considerable extent only at Kumarakom. The objectives of responsible tourism should go beyond the mere development of tourism and should aspire to ensure direct benefits for the locals of tourist destinations. The involvement of the local populace was necessary for the success of the programme. The State government will strive to strengthen the programme and also expand the initiative to other places. He added that in addition to marketing the State as a major tourist destination, the Tourism Department would focus on the development of tourism spots.