Kannanthanam bats for inland tourist centres, says ready to support Kerala

Kochi: The Centre has no constraints in releasing funds for Kerala’s tourism ventures, Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam said on Saturday, calling upon people to visit their own country’s spots that had heritage value or scenic beauty instead of majorly picnicking abroad.

Indians can prioritise their visits in ways that help them discover local charms, he said after laying the foundation stone for an international cruise terminal at the Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port.

The present Union government has given Cochin Port Trust Rs 53 crore for tourism promotion, said Kannathanam, who holds the portfolios of culture, tourism and electronics and information technology in his capacity as a minister of state. The target is to bring 50 lakh cruise travellers to India, whose 6.88 per cent GDP comes from tourism. Obviously, the country needs more cruise terminals, he said.

Steps will be taken to keep the city of Kochi cleaner, added the minister, a retired civil servant.

Cochin Port Trust chairman A V Ramana said the work on the terminal will be completedby late 2019.

As for the upcoming international cruise terminal, it will have an area of 2,253 sq m that can handle up to 5,000 tourists. With WiFi connectivity, it will feature a terminal passenger lounge, crew lounge, 30 immigration counters, eight customs clearance counters, seven security check-up centres, a tourist information counter, duty-free shopping centres, sales centres of handicrafts and curios, medical counter, cafeteria, ATM counters, book stalls, mini conference hall, gaming zone, foreign exchange counter, luggage counter, washrooms and parking bays for buses and cars, besides wheelchairs and trolleys.

Of the estimated investment of Rs 25.72 crore, the Centre’s tourism department has granted Rs 21.41 crore.