Kerala initiates new tourism circuit with Sri Lanka
Kerala Tourism has decided to form a new tourism circuit with Sri
Lanka to tap tourists arriving in the island nation for an extended
holiday here.
The decision is on the basis of the discussions Minister for Tourism
A.P. Anil Kumar, who is leading an official delegation to Sri Lanka on a
two-day visit to work out the road-map for 'triangle' tourism circuit
and maiden roadshow, had with Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism and Sports
Navin Dissanayake in Colombo on Friday.
Minister Kumar said that Mr. Dissanayake had expressed Sri Lanka's
interest in joining hands with Kerala Tourism for developing tourism
circuits and joint promotions to popularise the destinations."We are
looking forward to developing circuits that link tourism destinations in
Kerala and Sri Lanka, with the support from the Central government," the
Minister added.
Cruise service
Sri Lanka is keen on starting a cruise service between Kochi and
Colombo.
A seaplane operator has expressed interest to partner with the
corporates in Kerala to start seaplane services.
The Sri Lankan Minister has agreed to take up the demand to introduce
special fares on Sri Lankan Airlines that operates from Colombo to the
airports in State in connection with Visit Kerala Year 2015.Another area
identified for cooperation with Kerala Tourism is Human Resource
development and skill training in the tourism sector.
Tourism Secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Director P.I. Sheikh
Pareeth, and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director
Ali Asghar Pasha are in the delegation.
A high-level delegation from Sri Lankan Tourism will visit Kerala
soon for further deliberations in the identified tourism destination
areas and finalise steps for cooperation, the Tourism Secretary said.
Regional circuit
A regional circuit with the Maldives will also be formed soon. Joint
promotional activities will be conducted by Kerala and Sri Lanka to woo
travellers from big source markets like China, Germany, and Russia.
"Tourist cruises linking Colombo and Kochi will be explored for this
purpose," Mr. Pareeth said.Mr. Anil Kumar called on Indian High
Commissioner to Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha, who offered support for Kerala
Tourism's promotional activities.- The Hindu |
