Date:01/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/01/stories/2008110153740400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

State plans packages for tourists from Australia

Staff Reporter

Roadshow organised in Sydney

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said that the government will come up with packages to increase tourist arrivals from Australia to Kerala in a big way.

Speaking at a roadshow organised by Kerala Tourism in Sydney, Mr. Balakrishnan said the tourist arrivals from Australia had registered 160 per cent increase during the last three years.

“Australia comes seventh in the Kerala Tourism’s foreign tourism market and the attempt is to ensure more cooperation between Australia and Kerala in the tourism sector,” he said.

Indian Consul-General Sugan Chinoy, who attended the function, said 30 per cent of the enquiries from Australia about tourist destinations in India were about Kerala. Kerala had been identified as a safe tourist destination world-wide.

Secretary, Kerala Tourism, V. Venu said more air connectivity had been ensured from Australia to Kerala with the help of Singapore Airlines. As many as 74 tour operators from Sydney participated in the roadshow. The road show organised in Melbourne turned out to be a business-to-business meet. Over 100 tour operators and key personalities from the tourism sector participated in the roadshow, which was inaugurated by Mr. Balakrishnan.