KERALA TOURISM REVENUES CROSS

RS 21,000 CR IN 2012

Kerala's total revenue from tourism,both direct and indirect, has touched Rs 21,125 cr in 2012 as compared to Rs 19,037 crore in 2011.The foreign exchange earnings also went up from Rs 4,221.99 crore in 2011 to Rs 4,548 crore in 2012, deputy Director of Kerala Tourism, Plazi Haldane, told a press conference Friday.Over 1.01 crore domestic and 7.94 crore foreign tourists visited Kerala last year, Haldane said.Fiscal year revenue for 2012-13 will be increased by 10 per cent and the exact assessment of turnover would be opened later this year, Haldane said.The state's tourist figures would grow by 8 to 10 per cent in current fiscal year, he said.

Kerala Tourism department has introduced two major schemes -- Seaplane Project and Project Muziris -- to enhance the travel experience and add to its array of tourist sites, he said.Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL) has been appointed as the nodal agency for the implementation of the Seaplane Project.Service would be initially provided in the priority circuit, consisting of three airports of Trivandrum, Cochin, and Calicut, and other prime destinations of Astamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Bolgatty and Bekal in the state.To reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris, a plan has been drawn up to promote awareness and understanding of its cultural distinctiveness and diversity. Over 25 museums will be built for this purpose.He said with road shows about the state as a tourist destination being held in other states, Kerala would soon become a prime tourist destination.

Prof. John Kurakar