Date:27/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/27/stories/2004082701391900.htm

Back Concern over Kovalam face-off

Our Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Chamber of Commerce, Thiruvananthapuram, has expressed concern over a string of violent incidents mounted to protest the handover of Halcyon Palace, part of the erstwhile ITDC property at Kovalam, to a private hotelier.

Intense media coverage has relayed the episode to all parts of the world to the grave disadvantage of Kovalam's status as a tourist destination of repute, the chamber said in a statement. This will surely have ramifications for the tourism industry in the State as a whole, which boasts investments worth an estimated Rs 1,000 crore.

The violence is expected to hit bookings, which have just about opened for the season ahead. The economy and the development agenda of the State Government would be the losers in the bargain, the chamber said.