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ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS STORIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
Achievements
during the last One year
........In Kerala, Tourism
has emerged as one of the few economic alternatives to
develop the state economy. It has been recognised as an
important sector for the development on account of its
potential for generating income and employment. In the
context of poor prospects of the manufacturing sector
and the severe threats facing agricultural and traditional
sectors and the uncertainties facing expatriate employment
in the Gulf, tourism is considered as one of the sectors
which can drive Kerala economy to take the state to the
pinnacle of socio-economical development.
........Due to the thrust
given to tourism by Government in recent times large-scale
private investments are attracted to the state in the
tourism sector. It has been estimated that the total investment
in tourism in the state for the last year as more than
Rs.500 crores. The revenue generated in tourism is assessed
as 6.29% of the GDP and the employment in tourism is estimated
as 7 lakhs.
........During the last year
Department of Tourism has concentrated in development
of basic infrastructure, conservation of nature and heritage,
development of new tourism products and ensuring its quality,
focused promotion in targeted markets both domestic and
international, effective use of Information Technology
etc. Government has acted as facilitator and catalyst
in encouraging private sector investment in development
of tourism infrastructure.
Kerala
- The most acclaimed tourist destination in the Country
Kerala has emerged as the most acclaimed tourist destination
of the country in the recent past.
-
World
Travel and Tourism Council has selected Kerala as a
Partner State.
-
National Geographic Travel after 2 years of research
has chosen Kerala, as one of the 50 must see destinations
of a lifetime. Kerala has been stated as one of the
10 paradises of the world.
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Antony Weller of National Geographic Traveller impressed
by Kerala’s inquiring sophistication described
it as the State of Enlightenment
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The widely read and circulated travel magazine published
from UK, Conde’ Nast Traveller brought out the
exotic fragrance of Kerala in its March 2002 issue.
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The February 2002 issue of Geo Saison, Germany’s
largest selling travel magazine, discovers the magic
of Ayurveda in the Mecca of the oldest and holistic
health system – Kerala
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The article by Michael Fathers in the Travel Watch section
of ‘Time’ summed up the experience in Kerala
as Afoot and afloat, Kerala is worth the journey.
-
The
Times of India the largest circulated English daily
in India, explored why Kerala is the winning State,
in an editorial that appeared on 29th January 2002
The
other acclaims received by Kerala Tourism during the recent
past include;
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One of the 100 great trips for the 21st Century, by
‘Travel and Leisure’
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One of the ten hot spots for the millennium, by ‘Emirates
Inflight Magazine’
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One of the best breakfast in the world, by ‘Travel
& Leisure’
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One of the ten love nests in India, by ‘Cosmopolitan’
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One of the six destinations of the millennium, by ‘Khaleej
Times’
Awards/Recognitions
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National Award for the Best Performing State in Tourism
by Government of India for 1998-99,1999-2000 & 2000-01
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PATA Grant International award for the Conservation
of Heritage
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Best Performing State Award instituted by Outlook Traveler
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PATWA International award for the Best Performing State
in Tourism, 2001
Achieved
higher rate of growth in tourist arrivals compared to
national average
........The number of foreign
and domestic tourist arrivals to Kerala during 2001 was
2.09 lakhs and 52.40 lakhs respectively. 2001 was a bad
year in the recent history of tourism, nationally and
internationally due to the terrorist attacks on US. During
this period, tourist arrival to South Asia was affected
badly. Through there was a drip of 6% in the national
figure during the last year, Kerala could manage to tide
over the crisis with only a meager 0.53% drop in the international
tourist arrivals.
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