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Backwaters ready for tourism |
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Investors are flocking to build hotels in the state with some opening as soon as next year. Reports by Anand and Madhura Katti.
KERALA’S tourism authorities are developing pristine North Kerala, consisting of Malabar and Wayanad.
| Kerala backwaters: a fourth airport in the state has been approved in Kannur.
Picture by Anand and Madhura Katti
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The state has earmarked a US$16.86 million budget for tourism this year.
Kerala Tourism principal secretary, Mr E K Bharat Bhushan, told TTG Asia: “Infrastructure development comes first in our four priorities. Heritage preservation, community participation and marketing are other priorities. We are working towards setting up a special tourism investment promotion bureau. Five deluxe five-star hotels are coming-up at Bekal.”
The government has established the Bekal Resource Development Council (BRDC) to develop Bekal in Malabar, and said US$3.3 million had been spent on the region this year.
BRDC managing director, Mr P K Kesavan, said: “The five-star resorts will occupy 76.89 hectares. All units will be limited to two-storeys as the area falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone.”
The land near the famed Bekal Fort and overlooking the beaches has a 30-year lease. The five hotel groups are expected to invest US$175 million. Bekal is known for the forts at Kasargod, Kumbala, Kundankuzhi, Bandadukka and Povval. There are plans to create a tourism circuit linking them.
The CGH Earth Hotel Group plans to construct 30 unique units that will blend with the landscape on 13.39 hectares of land at Chithari and Ajanur.
Air Travel Enterprises has acquired 18.48 hectares at Chithari and Keekan. Air Travel Enterprises chairman and managing director, Mr Najeeb, told TTG Asia: “We will construct an exclusive 200-room resort at an investment of US$22 million. The property will have a mini-golf course and a convention centre of 1,000 seat capacity with modern facilities. Work will begin in November and the first phase will be ready in 12 months.”
Work is already in full swing at the plot leased to the UAE-based Holiday Group. The group plans to construct 120 rooms.
Taj Hotels is working in conjunction with the Kerala Government and Khanna Hotels to manage and operate a premium beach resort in Bekal.
Indian Hotels Company Limited managing director and CEO, Mr Raymond Bickson, said: “Leisure and hospitality in this region is growing tremendously and it is important for Taj Hotels to be present in key strategic locations in the state.”
The Indian brand’s resort, with 75 rooms and suites, will be ready by end-2008 and will feature a Taj Jiva Spa, which will be one of the key elements of the resort.
The fifth player is Bharat Hotels, which is expected to open its hotel in Bekal by 2007.
BRDC will focus on infrastructure such as water supply and roadworks. When the projects are completed in about two years, the Malabar region is expected to emerge as an important tourist destination in the state.
BRDC has already initiated measures to encourage rural and backwaters tourism at Valiyaparamba, a beautiful backwater stretch located 20km from Bekal. Beautification of the Pallikkara beach, the establishment of boat terminals in the Valiyaparamba backwaters are among the projects undertaken for the overall development of the destination. The 18km road that leads to Bekal from the state highway is also being widened in phases.
Wayanad Tourism Organisation general secretary, Mr Ravindran K, said: “Kayaking and other water sports started in August at Banasura Sagar dam and the Kanapura dam site is scheduled to open soon.” Mountaineering, rafting, trekking are other activities offered in the region.
Inventory of about 500 rooms in the region will grow with 250 more rooms to be added by year-end.
Mr Ravindran said: “There are about 25 home-stays now and we are encouraging 500 more to start. The advantage of homestays is there is less damage to nature, while exposing visitors to the local culture.”
Kerala has three international airports at Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Calicut. Mr Bharat Bhushan said: “In principle, approval has been given by the government for a fourth airport at Kannur in North Kerala. Work may begin any time.”
Meanwhile, India’s prime minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, laid the foundation for a new international terminal at state capital Thiruvanathapuram on November 1. Another 48.5 hectares of land have been acquired for future expansion of the airport.
Malaysian Airlines and Etihad Airways are planning to connect to Kerala.
Mr Ravindran said: “We expect private investments of US$213 million in tourism this fiscal year. Investment above 50 million rupees (US$1.1 million) will be given special clearance.”
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