By IANS,
Kannur (Kerala) : The Kerala government has prepared a Rs.10 billion ($238 million) project to improve basic tourism infrastructure and is trying to mobilise funds for it, Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.
Addressing a meeting Sunday at Irritty, about 70 km from Kannur, he said: “Many states are availing funds from ADB (Asian Development Bank) to improve tourism infrastructure. If the terms are acceptable, we can also avail of the loan from them.”
Later in the day, he inaugurated a beach beautification programme at Kappad, around 30 km from Kozhikode, where the famed Portuguese sailor, Vasco da Gama, is believed to have set foot in India 510 years ago.
The Kappad beautification project is expected to cost the state Rs.55 million.
Balakrishnan said at Kappad that the government would declare the hilly district of Wayanad as a “responsible tourism” destination in the state.
“When Wayanad is made such a destination, it will aid the tribal people in the district to sell their products to tourists,” he added.