Kerala’s Tourism Minister Mohamed Riyas said the State is keen to partner with UAE-based investors and Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) in scripting a new story of growth and development in key sectors, especially tourism, reports Asian Lite News
As tourism in Kerala is set to bounce back from the COVID-19-induced crisis, the State offers high investment opportunities in travel and hospitality sector with the government unveiling several ambitious projects to tap its potential as an extended tourist haven, P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister of Kerala, said.
Addressing a press conference in Dubai, Riyas said the State is keen to partner with UAE-based investors and Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) in scripting a new story of growth and development in key sectors, especially tourism.
Major initiatives promising attractive investment opportunities include ‘Exploring the Unexplored’ destinations, opening up the untapped Malabar region, Caravan Tourism, safe and regulated adventure tourism, experiential tourism, workcations and active holidays, the Minister said.
While the recently launched Caravan Tourism is sure to provide a riveting experience to visitors, houseboats will continue to be one of the top holiday experiences in Kerala. Caravanning will help Kerala tourism to expand beyond established destinations, he said.
Riyas, who is leading a delegation from Kerala to Expo 2020 Dubai to showcase the state’s strengths, said the new projects have opened up investment possibilities in MICE facilities, resorts and hotels, caravans and caravan parks, farmstays, adventure holidays and travel and tour operations.
The delegation included Dr. Venu V, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) and VR Krishna Teja, Director, Tourism.
Kerala has an investor-friendly institutional mechanism to provide quick approvals and mandatory clearances for investment proposals, the Minister said.
Emphasising on the strong government-to-government relations with UAE and people-to-people social and cultural ties, Riyas said he is confident that tourism will be a key driver in this relationship with more and more Keralites travelling to UAE, and vice-versa, in the future.
Kerala Week
The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has achieved yet another milestone by registering nine lakh visitors since its inauguration on October 1, 2021. The Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and has so far clocked 9,05,021visitors as on 4th February 2022.
In his tweet message, Shri Goyal said, “New India’s new milestone @Expo2020Dubai. Over 9 Lakh people have already visited the spellbinding India Pavilion. #IndiaAtDubaiExpo continues to capture the world’s imagination with its insight, innovation & opportunities.”
At present, the India Pavilion is hosting the Kerala Week, which was inaugurated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala and H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The state is showcasing its business potentials for investment in various key sectors along with its culture and tradition through a series of events. Kerala week is witnessing important government engagements with industry leaders, business organizations and one-to-one meetings with an intent to bring more investment to the state in key growth sectors.
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In the coming weeks, the India Pavilion will witness participation from states such as Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Sectors such as Information and Broadcasting, Energy Conservation, Environment & Sustainability, Tribal Affairs will also display their potential and collaboration opportunities to the world at India Pavilion.
At this stupendous speed, India Pavilion will soon be celebrating the milestone of 1000K footfall.