Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac has announced several schemes to bail out the tourism sector after the COVID-19 drought in the Kerala Budget. He is hopeful of the tourism industry going back to normalcy this year. And that is the reason he has allotted Rs 100 crore for aggressively marketing tourism in the state.
The minister pointed out the need to restart the Munnar railway route to bring in more tourists. “We are in talks with the Tate Estate who has conceded to give away land for this project,” he said.
Around Rs 117 crore have been allotted to beautify some of the popular tourist destinations in Kerala. They have also kept Rs 25 crore to renovate tourist guest houses along with Rs 13 crore to preserve the heritage centres and artefacts in the state. Tourism hospitality Institutions and KTDC have been given Rs 10 crore.
Champions Boat league which was cancelled last year will be held this year and has been allotted Rs 20 crore. A sum of Rs 3 crore will be set aside for eco-tourism projects as well as innovative tourism products. Kochi Biennale gets Rs 7 crore, and its Alleppey International Art exhibition gets Rs 2 crore. And Rs 10 crore will be kept for other cultural events.
