The two districts that are closer to the Malabar region will benefit from the initiative
Tourism in Kodagu is set to get a boost with the district being assured of getting a stall at the newly-opened Kannur International Airport in Kannur, Kerala, to promote tourism to international travellers landing in the coastal city.
Kodagu and Mysuru have been included in the Malabar Tourism Zone by the Kerala authorities for the development of tourism in Malabar and nearby areas, including vast tourist destinations in the land of coffee and also in the City of Palaces.
Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) Managing Director V. Tulsidas said the Tourism Department of Kerala and other agencies have come up with a plan for promoting Malabar tourism. Several projects were being chalked out as part of the Malabar Tourism Zone.
Kodagu and Mysuru, which are closer to the Malabar region and already have tourism links with the neighbouring State with people in the tour and travel industry operating services, will benefit from the initiative.
Mr. Tulsidas was speaking at a seminar on tourism in the Malabar region organised jointly by the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce and the KIAL at Kannur recently. Many stakeholders from the Kodagu tourism sector also attended the seminar. Tourism and economic activities in the areas closer to Kannur would benefit with the launch of the international airport, he opined.
With the launch of several international flights from Kannur, Kodagu’s tourism would see a rise in footfall, he said and added that the hospitality sector in these places should come up with attractive offers for foreign travellers.
Mr. Tulsidas said the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has come forward to allot over 5,000 acres of land near Kannur airport for the development of economic activities in the area and called upon investors from Kerala and Karnataka to make use of the opportunity.
Kodagu Hotels, Restaurants and Resort Owners’ Association president B.R. Nagendra Prasad, who attended the seminar, said the association would provide all possible support in realising the objectives of the Malabar Tourism Zone.
Entry tax
Association Consultant G. Chidwilas said tourist taxis from Karnataka were being charged exorbitantly upon their entry into Kerala and this could be a hurdle in attracting the people from the State to Kannur for boarding flights. In reply, Mr Tulsidas said the governments of Kerala and Karnataka need to arrive at an amicable solution to the issue of the entry tax.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 11th, 2019
