Date:12/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/12/stories/2007091250600200.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Making hay while the sun shines

Staff Reporter

The stake-holders in the tourism industry are gearing up for another
peak season in the State.

Thiruvananthapuram: The stake-holders in the tourism industry are gearing up for another peak season in the State. Tour operators are busy drawing up attractive packages for tourists expected to arrive from across the country and abroad next month.

The tourist properties in the State, including those at Kovalam and Varkala, are witnessing hectic activity with the weakening of the monsoon.

Hotel scene

Hotels at major tourist destinations are getting ready to play host to the chartered tourists flying down from countries such as the United Kingdom.

The State-owned Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has geared up for the season by branding the budget hotels as ‘Tamarind Easy Hotels.’

Home stay

Kerala Tourism has set in motion the home-stay facility by revising the guidelines and classifying them. The peak season will witness the opening of new tour operations, car and coach rental firms and launching of tourism projects.

Packages

Goodearth Tourism, a city-based tour organiser, has come up with attractive packages from one night to six nights in Kanyakumari, Ashtamudi and Thenmala, Kuttalam, Rameswaram, Munnar, Thekkady, Wayanad, Coorg, Bangalore, Mysore and Udagamandalam.

Safe and simple travel facilities and pleasant stay will be provided to the guests, said the organisers.

The KTDC’s first Tamarind Easy Hotel will be inaugurated by Minister for Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on September 15 in Tirunelli.