Date:07/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/07/stories/2005120702401900.htm

Back Kerala Tourism Web site redesigned

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , Dec. 6

THE Kerala Tourism Minister, Mr K.C. Venugopal, on Tuesday launched Kerala Tourism's redesigned Web site.

The content and structure of the site, www.keralatourism.org, has been redesigned to make it easier to use for visitors.

The site now uses more pictures and graphics, said an executive of Invis Multimedia, the city-based company that has designed the Web site and also maintains it. Content on the site has been grouped into four segments — Travel Zone, Unique Zone, Business Zone and Media Zone.

Information in the Travel Zone is geared towards providing the visitor with travel-related information on Kerala.

This section also has information on accommodation options, transport options and so on. It also has an `event calendar 2005-2010' that provides information on 40 major festivals of the State.

The Unique Zone showcases the many things that make Kerala a unique destination, while the Business Zone has information on various business initiatives launched by Kerala Tourism.

The Media Zone provides access to a host of information resources, including details of tourist information offices, news clips on Kerala Tourism, statistics on tourism and so on.

Inaugurating a seminar on `Tourism: Prospects and Challenges' organised by the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies in the city, Mr Venugopal said that over the next couple of years, the State Government expected investments of around Rs 4,000 crore in Kerala's tourism sector.

This investment will come from both the public and private sectors. The anticipated investment of Rs 4,000 crore will include Rs 500 crore in Kumarakom alone, he said.

As part of its efforts to improve the human resources available to the hospitality industry, the State Government will set up an international hospitality institute in Alappuzha, Mr Venugopal said. This institute will be established with financial assistance from the Central Government, he added.

Tourism has played a major role in fostering the development of the State, Mr Venugopal said.