Kochi: The chief minister Oommen Chandy has said that the union government should accord permission to the airline that has come forward to operate budget flights from Kerala to various destinations in Gulf countries.

Launching the innovative Vazhiyoram project of Kerala tourism at a function, Chandy said that the union government had a sympathetic approach in granting permission to more airlines to operate from the three airports of the state.

Chandy said that the preliminary steps had been initiated in setting up a low-cost airline with the support of the state government and on the model of Cochin International Airport Limited. Pointing out that the airfare from Delhi to Kerala and from three airports of the state to Gulf countries were high, he said that steps were being taken to bring down the airfare.

The proposed airport in Kannur would help the tourism sector in Malabar region in a big way. "There were apprehensions about the project from various quarters. The airport had been conceived taking into consideration the Bakel project, the Ezhimala Naval Academy and developments in handloom sector. We are determined about it. A special officer has been posted and land acquisition will commence soon," he said.

He added that the tourism potential was yet to be exploited fully. "Tourism is the biggest contributor to the state''s development. Tourism sector should be developed without affecting ecology and culture and by following a tourist-friendly approach, he said.

The government is ready to provide the infrastructure facilities for the development of the tourism sector in the coming days. Lauding the role of the private sector in the development of the tourism sector and in making the state a much-sought-after destination, Chandy asserted that the government would not sideline the private sector.

Leading actor, Jayaram, who is the brand ambassador for the Vazhiyoram project, was present. The logo and a short film featuring the actor were released on the occasion. Presiding over the function, the minister for tourism and Devaswom KC Venugopal said the Vazhiyoram project would be a turning point in the tourism sector as it would give a different experience to the tourists and generate employment to the locals.

The Minister said that the State was facing stiff competition from other competitors in the tourism sector and the solution is to improve the quality of service offered to tourists. The Kerala Conservation and Preservation Bill passed by the Assembly and the proposed legislation to regulate ayurvedic centres are in this direction, he added.

At the function, the Chief Minister gave away the state tourism awards for excellence in various spheres of the tourism sector for 2003-2004. The principal secretary, tourism, EK Bharat Bhushan, the chairman of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Pandalam Sudhakaran, the director of Tourism, B Suman and the director of ecotourism, KG Mohanlal were among those who attended.