Date:30/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/30/stories/2008083051152100.htm

Back Kerala tourism revenue up 25%

Our Bureau

Mumbai, Aug 29 For 2007-08, revenue from tourism in Kerala increased by 25.28 per cent at Rs 11,433 crore over the previous year. International tourist increased by 20.37 per cent while domestic tourist increased by 5.92 per cent, said Mr M. Sivasankar, Director, Kerala Tourism.

He was addressing the media at Kerala Tourism road show on Friday.

The foreign exchange earnings have increased by 32.82 per cent at Rs 2640.94 crore in 2007-08.

Mr Sivasankar said that as Kerala is not a climate destination such as a hill station, the tourism department is targeting off-season travellers between April-September.

Calling it a ‘Dream Season’ tourist are being offered heavy discounts in hotel tariff rates and packages.

In a way the tourist season has extended to 365 days in a year, he said.

From January- March of the current year the total foreign tourist arrival in Kerala has increased by 20.05 per cent while domestic tourist has increased by 15.04 per cent over the same period previous year.

On an average foreign tourists are spending Rs 3,200 aday.

Mr Sivasankar said that the Volvo Ocean Race has added that one more attraction to the State. Kochi has joined the big league as a stopover port for the world’s premier offshore yacht race following the signing of the Kochi stopover port agreement.