By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : All four and five-star hotels in Kerala have been asked to prepare a detailed layout plan and undergo a security audit, a state minister said Thursday.
“This has been undertaken in the aftermath of the recent Mumbai terror attacks. Also the US embassy has written to the Kerala government that henceforth they would be advising their citizens on the nature of security that the states have undertaken for the safety of tourists,” said state Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan while talking to reporters.
There are 40 four and five-star hotels in Kerala.
In 2007, foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala grew by 20.37 percent over 2006 to cross 515,000 and domestic tourist arrivals grew by 5.92 percent to cross 6.64 million. The total revenue from tourism grew by 25.28 per cent to touch Rs.114 billion.
“These hotels have also been asked to ensure proper screening of tourists, their staff and also those who bring supplies to these hotels. Alappuzha, where houseboat tourism is popular will also come under this security audit. All these hotels have also agreed to file Form C everyday to the police through the internet on the details of all the foreign tourists after checking their travel documents,” added Balakrishnan.
Balakrishnan, however, added that the privacy of all tourists would be respected and they will not be put into any inconvenience.