Kerala Travel Mart at Kochi
By James Paul | 01 Jan 2002
Kochi:
Kerala Tourism Minister KV Thomas has said that the
next edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) will be organised
from 3 to 5 October 2002 at the Gulfar International Centre.
The decision stems from KTMs substantial success held
in October last.
KTM 2002 will be an opportunity for resorts, tour operators,
houseboats and ayurvedic centres, among others, to showcase
their products and services. "We are expecting
about 170 exhibitors, Thomas said. "KTM 2002 will
also offer space in a limited manner to the neighbouring
states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh as
they are complementary destinations. We aim to build a
south India tourism circuit."
He
has also announced a multi-core package for the development
of tourism-related infrastructure in the city. Two parks
in Kochi will be given a facelift in the initial phase
of the project, the minister said in a press conference
here. "An overbridge, designed after the Chinese
net, will be installed in the childrens park. It will
cost about Rs 26 lakh and the tourism department will
meet the expenses."
"A musical fountain will be built in Subash Park
at the cost of Rs 23 lakh. We have accepted a Rs 49.44-lakh
proposal for the development of Durbar Hall Ground. Stage
parking slots, toilets and cafeteria will be built in
the ground, which is one
of the main cultural platforms of the city."
The state government and the district administration also
have plans to renovate the boat jetty near Subash Park
into a state-of-the-art landing site. "The whole
project will be implemented with the support of Central
aid," he said. "The walkway along Marine Drive
will be extended up to Subash Park. Also, at an estimated
cost of Rs 80 lakh, a boat jetty will be constructed at
Ernakulam Warf and Mattanchery."
