Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25: Recovering from the sluggish post-9/11 trend, Kerala tourism is poised to scale new heights with tourist flow into the state this year marking an impressive 30 per cent increase. While there was a steady growth in arrivals to the state since 2002, the increase in tourist inflow is expected to be nearly 30 per cent this year, according to the state economic review.
It was more heartening that there was a boom in 'quality tourism' during the period, it said.
The earning from the sector increased from Rs 535 crore in 2001 to Rs 705.67 crore in 2002, which accounted for 6.29 per cent of the GDP.
Apart from the state's inherent attractions like long beaches, backwaters and hill stations and ayurveda, village tourism has been identified as a new product to be developed.
Another new concept would be MICE -- meetings, incentives, conventions and events, exhibitions and trade shows.
The state government had recently asked the Centre that one of the two international convention centres being planned should be located in Kerala. According to state Tourism Minister K V Thomas, if the Centre rejects the proposal, the state would develop the facility in joint venture at Akkulam near the state capital Bureau Report