Kerala’s heli-tourism project to transform tourism landscape
Kerala Tourism Director P B Nooh announcing launch of heli-tourism policy
In a move to elevate its tourism sector, Kerala has announced the launch of ‘Sky Escapes,’ a pioneering heli-tourism project to connect the state’s top destinations. With this, Kerala will become the first state in India to implement a comprehensive heli-tourism policy, marking a potential game-changer in the industry.
In a press statement, the tourism department said that the micro-site created for ‘Sky Escapes’ provides detailed information on travel packages offered by helicopter service providers. This strategic move aims to make Kerala an interconnected tourism hotspot, enabling tourists to explore various destinations in one trip.
Under the broader theme of “Make up for lost time, pack up for Kerala,” Kerala Tourism has received the prestigious PATA Gold Award for its innovative promotional initiative. The state is now set to host four international adventure sporting events this year, capitalising on its diverse geography of mountains, rivers, beaches and canals.
International adventure events include the Paragliding Festival at Vagamon in Idukki (March 14-17), Surfing Festival at Varkala (March 29-31), MTB Kerala 2024 (April 26-28) at Priyadarshini tea plantation in Mananthavady, Wayanad, and Malabar River Festival 2024 (July 25-28) at Kodencherry in Kozhikode.
The statement adds that Kerala Tourism is also actively promoting the state as an ideal wedding destination, leveraging its natural beauty, scenic locations, excellent accommodation, and banquet facilities. The focus is on attracting couples from around the world, contributing to tourism growth and local economies.
Kerala witnessed a remarkable 19.34 pc growth, welcoming 16 million visitors from within the country during January-September 2023
The state witnessed a remarkable 19.34 pc growth, welcoming 16 million visitors from within the country during January-September 2023. The success is attributed to innovative tourism initiatives, making Kerala a safe, hospitable, and all-weather holiday paradise.
As part of the revamped strategy, Kerala Tourism will introduce new destinations, create innovative tourism circuits, invest in infrastructure development, and broaden the award-winning Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative. The state plans to organise travel trade networking activities and B2B Partnership meets in various Indian cities to introduce these initiatives to a wider audience.
“Kerala has become the first state in the country to come out with a comprehensive Heli-tourism policy. A micro-site has been created giving details of travel packages offered by the helicopter service providers. This initiative will be of enormous help to tourists planning to visit various destinations in a single trip, making the state an inter-connected tourism hotspot,” said Kerala Tourism Director P B Nooh at a press conference held in New Delhi on Thursday.
“Adventure, Wellness, and Responsible Tourism will be taken forward with a greater sense of purpose and vigor, ensuring that Kerala remains a top choice for travellers seeking diverse and enriching experiences,” Nooh added.
