The State government will come up with a comprehensive master plan, ‘Mission 2030’, for tourism sector next year, Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas has said. Addressing a seminar on tourism held here as part of Keraleeyam, Mr. Riyas said the master plan will lay down policies and suggestions on matters including increasing tourism’s contribution to State’s GDP from the current 12% to 20%. Regarding dry day, a decision will be taken after discussions with the Excise Minister, he said.
Noting that Kerala Tourism’s major focus in 2024 will be on leveraging larger-scale private investment, the Minister said the government alone cannot enhance the State’s presence on global tourism domain. A two-day tourism investors meet, scheduled on November 16, is an important endeavour in this direction which will also serve as a venue for discussing new ideas and opportunities with investors, the Minister said.
“We have to increase private investments in the tourism sector where the cooperative sector and individuals can also partner with the government. The Glass Bridge at Vagamon is an example of public-private partnership (PPP) model; still we are yet to fully utilise the potential of PPP models,” he observed. The Minister also informed that heli tourism and cruise tourism will be developed in partnership with private players next year. Besides, the renovated 132-year-old Feroke Bridge across Chaliyar River will be dedicated in 2024.
