Kovalam to get a new destination manager, more security

Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to give Kovalam a much-needed facelift, the Kerala Tourism has come out with a novel initiative. The overall charge of the coastal hotspots security hitherto split into separate jurisdictions between a number of government bodies will be consolidated in the hands of a Destination Manager. 

The Destination Manager will become the designated authority to handle matters of day-to-day operational security, an official release said today.

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The entire resort area will be blanketed 24x7 by a security system that incorporates a CCTV surveillance network. 

Discrete fencing would be put up around popular viewpoints such as the Edakkal rocks to ensure tourist safety without becoming an eyesore, the Tourism department said. A short-term roadmap was laid out by Kerala Tourism at a joint action meeting here a few days ago that brought together some 40 representatives from a number of government departments as well as tourism and trade industry stakeholders. 

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"The meeting was convened to both assure involved parties of resolute support at all levels to help preserve Kovalam and to ensure that all corrective measures currently being implemented are completed well before the first week of November, when the tourist season officially kicks off," Kerala Tourism Director U V Jose said.  

(With input from agencies)