Identifying tourism as a key sector to drive the state’s future growth, Kerala government has come out with some interesting proposals for global investors to look at as part of the ‘Emerging Kerala’ Global Investors Meet commencing from September 12, 2012 in Kochi. The proposal includes tourism destination development projects in the northern districts of the state.
Some of the key projects for which the Kerala Tourism Department seeks private investors' proposals during the three-day meet include a star category hotel at the upcoming EduHealth City at Panakkad and a destination boat club at Thirurangadi, both in Malappuram district;
Marine and Leisure Island at Dharmadom in Kannur district; a botanical garden and forest lodge at Nelliampathy in Palakkad district. The other projects which are open for private investments include an under water aquarium in Arookkuty in Alappuzha district; adventure sports arena and hospitality cottages at Vagamon in Kottayam district; and Mist Valley Resort and Spa and a Spice Valley Resort in Idukki district. Announcing these projects, A P Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala said that the government has come out with a tourism policy that seeks to beef up the state’s infrastructure and involve people’s participation on a larger scale. “We are creating an atmosphere that would enable potential investors to be our long-term partners of growth. Emerging Kerala 2012 is going to be a wonderful chance for us to showcase our plans and projects before the world. Tourism is one of the key drivers for our economy and hence we are showcasing the sector prominently before the global investors,’’ he added. However, some of the tourism projects announced by the Minister in the eco-sensitive areas of Nelliampathy and Vagamon have come under the scanner of the environmentalists and conservationists in the state. While the government plans to develop 25 acres in Nelliampathy for a botanical garden and forest lodge with an estimated investment of Rs 75 crore, in Vagamon, the government has put forward Rs 120 crore project, comprising 40 cottages, and various adventure sports activities arena, spread across 100 acres. Both these destinations are ecologically fragile forest lands and developing tourism projects without making an impact study and without approvals at the central
Click here to see the original article>Marine and Leisure Island at Dharmadom in Kannur district; a botanical garden and forest lodge at Nelliampathy in Palakkad district. The other projects which are open for private investments include an under water aquarium in Arookkuty in Alappuzha district; adventure sports arena and hospitality cottages at Vagamon in Kottayam district; and Mist Valley Resort and Spa and a Spice Valley Resort in Idukki district. Announcing these projects, A P Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala said that the government has come out with a tourism policy that seeks to beef up the state’s infrastructure and involve people’s participation on a larger scale. “We are creating an atmosphere that would enable potential investors to be our long-term partners of growth. Emerging Kerala 2012 is going to be a wonderful chance for us to showcase our plans and projects before the world. Tourism is one of the key drivers for our economy and hence we are showcasing the sector prominently before the global investors,’’ he added. However, some of the tourism projects announced by the Minister in the eco-sensitive areas of Nelliampathy and Vagamon have come under the scanner of the environmentalists and conservationists in the state. While the government plans to develop 25 acres in Nelliampathy for a botanical garden and forest lodge with an estimated investment of Rs 75 crore, in Vagamon, the government has put forward Rs 120 crore project, comprising 40 cottages, and various adventure sports activities arena, spread across 100 acres. Both these destinations are ecologically fragile forest lands and developing tourism projects without making an impact study and without approvals at the central