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Kerala fine-tuning new forest tourism packages
2007-09-20 11:07:00
        ;   After successfully promoting the backwaters in the state, the Kerala Tourism Department is now fine-tuning a new forest tourism product that is aimed at attracting tourists to explore the lesser known areas and wild life sanctuaries besides the popular spots. Speaking to reporters here today during a roadshow to further promote Kerala as a tourist destination, Kerala Tourism secretary Dr Venu V said 25 projects had been taken up to build infrastructure and promote forest tourism in a major way in the state. The projects relate to building up a trekking trail and working out packages for guided tours to the forest areas, he said, adding an investment roughly to the tune of Rs 2 crore has has been pumped in to boost this initiative. At present, marketing workshops with tour agents and operators are being held to have them critically view the product and provide inputs for its modification before the launching the package on a f...
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Bringing out the best in hospitality
2007-09-04 12:58:00
Considered as the first of its kind of HR initiative in India, Kerala Tourism has launched the ?Let?s Learn? programme aimed at skill upgradation and capacity building of the personnel in the tourism and hospitality sector. The programme is the latest under ?Synergy? the enterprising public-private sector partnership in tourism. Covering all key sections in the tourism and hospitality sector, ?Let?s Learn? features specially developed modules designed by leading HR institutions like Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (IHMCT) and Kerala Institute for Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS).Participants of the ?Let?s Learn? programme would have the option to undergo the training programme at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. The learning modules feature subjects in hospitality like front office, F&B services, guest handling and HACCP, while topics under Tour Operations include travel counseling and those meant for tour executives, and senior/middle level executive...
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Homestays to be brought under classification
2007-09-04 12:48:00
Kerala Tourism has decided to go in for classification of homestay operations in the State. Over the years, tourism based on homestays has been catching the attention of both domestic as well as foreign tourists and the government has felt the need to implement certain standards for its running. The homestay classification scheme was recently launched by the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at a function held at North Kumbalangi in Ernakulam District. The occasion which was attended Mr. Sanjay M. Kaul, Director, Kerala Tourism, also saw newly classified homestay operators receiving certificates. An awareness session was also held on the same day, which proved useful to the locals, homestay operators and also tourists.The classification scheme outlines certain mandatory guidelines, based upon which the homestays would be approved and categorized into Diamond, Gold and Silver houses.

A cruise through the canals of Alappuzha
2007-09-02 16:11:00
        ;      &nbs p;      &nb sp;    If you are cherishing the idea of spending some good time, amidst the sights and sounds of the hydrosphere, then step into a country boat and wind through the labyrinth of canals in Alappuzha. While cruising through these canals, one would come across many interesting aspects of day-to-day life on the land as well as on water.         ;      Here, at Alappuzha, one can easily find boats according to one?s requirement, starting from small country boats to luxury houseboats and small speedboats to big passenger motorboats. Small boats are preferred for cruise through the canals. Once you have the transport ready, pick one of the canal systems in and around Alappuzha for your cruise.         ;     Let the canal network be at any par...
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Kerala Tourism bags NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2007
2007-09-02 04:42:00
        ;      &nbs p;      &nb sp; Dr. Venu V., Secretary, Kerala Tourism , received the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2007 for the Best Travel & Tourism Organization, from the Hon. Union Minister for Finance, Mr. P. Chidambaram. The NDTV awards honouring organizations that have showed exceptional ability in business performance are also a tribute to establishments which have fuelled the Indian economy to becoming one of the fastest growing in the world. A credible and distinguished platform for recognizing entrepreneurial and business excellence, the nominees for these awards are chosen through a six-stage stringent selection procedure.Source
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PATA Gold Award for Kerala Tourism
2007-08-30 15:51:00
Kerala Tourism once again hogs the limelight by bagging two gold awards in the culture and brochure categories respectively, of the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association?s (PATA) 2007 awards. Aranmula, which won the award in the culture category for its various renowned cultural centres, is among the three villages in India selected for implementing the Endogenous Tourism Project ? a joint venture of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Union Government. The award-winning brochures, a four-set series, showcases the renowned destinations of Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad. Designed and conceptualized by Stark Communications Pvt. Ltd., the brochures highlight experiential holidays at these destinations. Shri. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism, attributed these awards to Kerala Tourism?s sustainable tourism policy and strong marketing strategies. The special congratulatory message to the Department of Tourism from PATA lauded the achievemen...
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Kerala to host north-east art fest
2007-08-29 16:25:00
Kerala will host an eight-day long festival in March 2008 showcasing the art and culture of the north-eastern states. The event, styled "Octave-2008", will be jointly organised by Union Culture and Tourism Department, Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy and Kerala culture department, state culture minister M A Baby told reporters. "The festival is designed to introduce the cultural heritage of Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Sikkim to other parts of the country," he said. Apart from the performing traditions, the handicrafts, sculptures and cuisines from the North East would be on display during the event. There would also be seminars and screening of films from the north-eastern states, he added. Source
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Pat for Kerala Tourism
2007-08-28 15:37:00
Kerala Tourism ?s best practices in conservation and sustainability of resources, institutional development, marketing, local impacts of society, training and enforcement and new products have come in for praise and have become a model for others States to develop tourism. It has been found in a Union Government-sponsored study in 12 States that documented best practices were useful in formulation of strategies to improve the tourism performance through increased competitiveness. It was recommended that the best practices could disseminated across various States for adoption with suitable modifications to meet the local context. The States covered were Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu in the south; Uttaranchal and Rajasthan in the north; Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa in the west; Orissa and West Bengal in the east; and Sikkim in the northeast. Rainwater harvesting in Kuttanad and legislation on rainwater harvesting are listed among the best practices in the conservation and s...
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Sony Sets Sales Targets of Rs 100-Cr in Kerala
2007-08-28 05:18:00
Sony India Pvt Ltd is aspiring to reach Rs 100 crore sales in Kerala in the recent fiscal (2007) by aiming a 49 per cent sales increase through product innovations and promotional schemes. For the fiscal ended March 2007, the company registered record sales of Rs 67 crore from the region by accomplishing a 40 per cent sales development, Masaru Tamagawa, Managing Director, Sony India Pvt Ltd, said. Mr. Masaru, who was in Kerala regarding the promotional plan for Onam, alleged that the brilliant performance attained by the company from the area was because of the upshot of firm business recital and violent customer focused plan particularly in the classes of Bravia LCD TVs, VAIO notebooks, Cyber Shot and Handycam digital products. Presently, Sony has a 20 per cent market share in CTV, 40 per cent in digital cameras and emerged as No 2 in LCD TV segment in the State. The main focus in the current fiscal will be on LCDs and digital cameras. The company is also growing its dealer cha...
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Plastic ban in Kerala from September 1
2007-08-27 05:30:00
The Government has decided to enforce plastic ban from Sept ember 1 and intensify the follow-up action for garbage-free Kerala . Minister for Local Self-Local Administration Paloli Mohammed Kutty said in a release here on Saturday that the ban would be enforced under the leadership of local self-government institutions (LSGIs). The Cabinet has decided to place Ministers in charge of each district to coordinate the activities. Source
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Photos from Gods Own Country - Kerala
2007-08-15 07:21:00
Kerala is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. If you are preparing for a tour don't miss out a chance to visit the GOD's OWN COUNTRY- KERALAHere are some photo's of Some beautiful locations of kerala......
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Neelamperoor Padayani
2007-08-15 07:12:00
Event Date : September 11, 2007 Venue: Palli Bhagavathy Temple at Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), 16 km away from KottayamNeelamperoor Padayani is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelamperoor near Kottayam. Padayani, literarily means 'rows of army'. Padayani is the victory march symbolic of that of Goddess Kali after vanquishing Darika. A colourful and spectacular Kettukazcha procession is carried out, with effigies of mythological characters.The procession is conducted at night and in its course towards the temple; it is accompanied by the reverberating beats emanating from several drums (Chenda) along with clanging of Cymbals that fills the air with a captivating rhythm.

Tourism in Alleppey - Alappuzha (Kerala, India)
2007-08-09 09:54:00
        ;      &nbs p;       Also known as Alappuzha, the coir and carpet city offers an ideal backwater holiday. Venue of the famous Snake Boat Race of India , this Indian holiday at the 'Venice of East' is unforgettable.         ;       Arrive at the 'Venice of East' for the time in your life. A holiday on the best-known port of the Malabar Coast is an unparalleled experience. Alleppey or Alappuzha is one of the much visited backwater destinations of Kerala . Here you can go holiday sailing on a houseboat (kettuvallam) or catch a glimpse of the rustic lifestyle of the people. Capture the countryside at its best with the vibrant villages that will fall on your way. Get greeted by flocks of ducks. Watch the entire process of coir making in this land full of coconut canopies and be mesmerized by the magic of the rich greenery all...
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Varkala Beach, Kerala
2007-08-08 18:08:00
        ;    Varkala spa, 42 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense.The mineral water gushing from the hill is believed to have medicinal properties. The Varkala sands has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures exotic and alien.         ;    Varkala also houses a leading pilgrim centre in Kerala. The 2000-year old Janardhana temple, dedicated to Ayyappan and Hanuman, atop the hill has brought a sobriquet for the region, Southern Kasi (Benares). Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum but can hang around the temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here. High cliffs border the excellent beach.         ;    It's a beautiful beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old sh...
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Aarattu Festival in Kerala
2007-08-08 18:00:00
Introduction to the Aarattu Festival in Kerala         ;      South India abounds in temples. The state of Kerala is no exception. These temples are the centers of a large number of fairs and festivals. There are innumerable customs and rituals that are related to these festivals and they are religiously followed at the time of the celebration of these festivals.         ;     Two such prime rituals that are followed in the important temples of Kerala are Pallivetta (Royal Hunt) and Aarattu (Holy Bath). The Aarattu Festival in Kerala is of special relevance at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. History of the Aarattu Festival in Kerala         ;    As mentioned before, the Aaarattu Festival is more of a ritual than a festival that is connected to the temple festivals in Kerala. The custom has been traditi...

Kerala registers growth in domestic and international tourists
2007-08-08 17:39:00
Kerala has registered increase in domestic and international tourists during the first-quarter (January to March) of the year, a senior Kerala tourism department official said. International arrivals recorded a significant 25.89 per cent increase over the previous year's figures, while domestic tourists marked a 7.95 per cent rise, Dr V Venu, secretary, Kerala Tourism and Sanjay Kaul, director, Kerala Tourism told reporters today. To sustain this momentum several innovative initiatives have been introduced by Kerala Tourism for the first time in India including, Dream Seasons, Syneergy Quest and Wake Up To Malabar. Pioneering Responsible Tourism, Kerala envisages its future growth by focussing on sustainable and Responsible Tourism (RT). "The RT initiative has taken off well and is being implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations -- Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad," they said. To reach out to the domestic market, a series of road shows are being organised in ci...
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Aranmula Boat Race
2007-08-07 17:14:00
Event Date : August 30, 2007 Venue: River Pampa, Aranmula, Chengannur.The annual boat race at Aranmula, popularly known as the Aranmula Vallamkali is held during the Onam season. The regatta, celebrated as a grand social event today, has a religious origin. Vegetables, cereals and other food materials required for the Thiruvonasadya (the grand Onam feast), prepared as a ritual offering to the deity at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, were brought from Kattur Mana ? the ancestral house of a Brahmin family, located a bit far away from Aranmula. The materials for the grand Onam feast are taken on a special boat called Thiruvona Thoni. A long time back, the boat was accompanied by armed men on snake boats, which used to protect the Thiruvona Thoni from the attacks of pirates moving on boats. The tradition of carrying materials meant for the grand Onam feast still continues and the Aranmula Vallamkali is held to commemorate this traditional practice.Before the grand procession, t...
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Manarcad Perunnal
2007-08-07 17:07:00
Manarcad Perunnal is the occasion celebrating the annual feast at the St. Mary's Church at Manarcad. This festival is generally held September 1-8 every year. Manarcad Perunnal is also known as Ettunombu Perunnal which literally means eight day prayer and fasting. This is the feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated by the Christian community of Kerala. Starts On : September 01, 2007 Ends On : September 08, 2007 Venue: St. Mary's Church, Manarcad, Kottayam district. If you are eager to go there and be a part of the festivity you need to keep in mind these features: Description of the Manarcad Perunnal Festival Kerala Manarcad Perunnal is the annual feast at the St.Mary?s church at Manarcad, Kottayam in Kerala. Manarcad Perunnal is actually the ceremonious Ettunombu Perunnal or eight day prayer and fasting dedicated to Virgin Mary. The fast commences by the beginning of September every year. The devotees observe the fast stay at the church from morning till...
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Payippad Boat Race
2007-08-07 16:50:00
Venue: Payippad Lake, 35 km from Alappuzha district of Kerala Highlights: Floats, classical and folk art performances. How to Reach:Nearest Railway Station is Harippad, about 5 km, Nearest Airport is Cochin (about 85 Km) Event Date : August 29, 2007 Payippad boat race is a spectacular event that is held every year in the month of either August or September. In Kerala, Payippad boat race is a major event that draws a huge crowd from all nearby places. The Payippad boat race of Kerala is held in Payippadu near Harippad in Kerala. The boat race is a time to have fun and indulge in festivity in galore. This is one of the spirited boat races involving the snake boats, locally known as Chundan Vallams is the one held at Payippad in Alappuzha District. The Payippad boat race has participation by snake boat teams representing the adjoining villages. It is a matter of pride for the participating villages to see their boats emerge victorious in the race. Apart from the snake boat races, the...
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About Kerala, India in National Geographic Traveler
2007-08-07 10:59:00
Kerala is a very easy place to simply sit back and enjoy. The name means "land of coconuts," and the palms shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun; many call the beach at Kovalam the best in India ; visitors can spend a day riding small ferries through the backwater lagoons or watching elephants cavort in the wildlife sanctuaries; the spicy food may be the best vegetarian cuisine on the planet. But for me, the real reason to visit Kerala, which lies at the southwestern tip of the subcontinent, is for the intellectual adventure: Kerala is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World. Consider: This small state in India, though not much larger than Maryland, has a population as big as California's and a per capita annual income of less than $300. But its infant mortality rate is low, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, and its birthrate below America's and falling faster. Kerala's citizens live nea...
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Kerala to give free air tickets to amnesty seekers
2007-08-07 10:02:00
The Kerala government's Department of Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs (NORKA) has decided to give free air tickets to needy Indian workers wanting to return to India under an amnesty scheme offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "Priority would be given to Keralites and other deserving people," S.M. Najeeb, the general manager of NORKA, said Monday. NORKA is working closely with various Malayalee associations in the UAE to provide the air tickets. In June, the UAE government set a deadline of three months for all illegal foreign workers to either acquire legal status to stay in the country or face deportation. The Khaleej Times quoted Najeeb as saying that some leading businessmen and organisations have also come forward to sponsor the air tickets. NORKA was set up by the government of Kerala to ensure the welfare of the non-resident Keralites, redress their grievances and safeguard their rights. "Those wanting to avail this scheme should submit their documents at the Ab...
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Expatriates to launch International Business School in Kerala
2007-08-06 06:43:00
The Indian expatriates from the Southern state of Kerala will launch a state-of-the-art facility B-School in the state's commercial capital Kochi. The NRI joint venture, is promoted by Dr Mohan Thomas, Chairman of Birla Public School and Professor Jay Kandampully. The establishment of the International Business School (IBS- Kochi) is in partnership with the Management Center Inssbruck (MCI), University of Applied Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria, will mould future business leaders of India. IBS-Kochi, in conjunction with MCI, will offer an 18 month International MBA programme, especially designed to produce graduates who are commercially astute, socially responsible and international in outlook, said Dr Thomas. "The vision of IBS-Kochi is to serve as the international school for excellence in providing future business leaders with world class business and management education. The mission is to promote excellence in learning and research in an effort to develop globally competitive ...
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Kerala State to throw open seven key sectors
2007-07-27 12:23:00
The Department of Industries in association with the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (KSIDC) and Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) is organising a Trade and Technology Business Show (TTBS) from September 27 to 29 at Hotel Le Meridian, Kochi.The business meet aims at bringing together buyers across India and the globe, so that the buyers can interact directly with the sellers from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Kerala. One of the objectives of the TTBS is to introduce new technologies to small and medium manufacturers and thereby increase their competitiveness.At present, it is difficult for the SMEs to access foreign technology and use state-of-the-art equipment. The Government wanted to bring new technology to their doorsteps and hope TTBS would serve that purpose, said an official press release from New Delhi.The show will highlight the industrial agility and knowledge-b...
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General Atlantic looks at Kerala co
2007-07-27 12:20:00
The $15 billion private equity giant General Atlantic (GA) is on path to expand its IT investment portfolio in India. The PE firm is close to picking up a substantial minority stake in Kerala -headquartered firm ? IBS Software Services, sources said.The investment is rumoured to be in the range of $25-35 million, though, there was no confirmation. IBS Software declined comment. The deal is likely to be announced anytime, sources added. IBS, which started its operations in 1997 at the Technopark campus in Thiruvananthapuram, with around 60 people today has a headcount of 1,200. The company provides IT services primarily to the verticals of travel, cargo, logistics and oil and gas.The other investments by GA in the domestic IT industry include Genpact, Hexaware Technologies, Patni Computer, Infotech Enterprises. In these companies, GA holds significant stake including board representations. Since its first investment in Patni, GA has invested over $600 million in eight companies in Ind...
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Kerala villagers fight off monsoon diseases with rat meat
2007-07-24 18:09:00
Around 50 families of Perumanthurthu Island in Kerala 's Kottayam District eagerly await the monsoon to undertake their favourite hobby of catching water rats for preparing a unique delicacy. iving on the banks of Vembanadu Lake near Kalara village of Perumanthurthu Island, these families belong to the backward class, and believe that by eating water rats in season, they won't suffer from seasonal diseases. Though farming is the main occupation of these villagers, collecting water rats out of the Vembanadu Lake in country-made canoes, using sharp spikes, is an enjoyable pastime. Once collected, these rats are skinned, mixed with locally available herbs and spices, and eaten. Omana Vishwanath, a villager, described the dish as a delicacy that made those eating it more energetic after consuming it. Medical experts too vouch for rat meat, scientifically called Rattus Norvegicus and Bandicota Indica. "The villagers know the medicinal value and calorific content of rat meat. In th...
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MSME surges for Kerala handicrafts
2007-07-24 13:34:00
Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) in affiliation with Public Private Partnership (PPP) is soon to set up a world class shopping centre for promoting khadi and handicrafts products of Kerala . Further, a Grand Kerala Shopping Festival is on its way for endorsing the states products, costing around Rs 15 crore. Besides promoting, the purpose of these events is to provide employment to youths under the schemes at panchayat level. MSME would facilitate youngsters with large scale employment, developing computer as well as small entrepreneurs? skills. However, for starting a small business under MSME, the Centre will have to provide a grant of 80 percent and the State Government has to make sure that the budding entrepreneurs are mentally prepared for the start up. To start with, Malappuram will be the first district where a member of each family would be trained on computers. Proposal to set up a Garment Park and a branch office of the National Institute of Medium Small and...
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Kerala hoteliers promote 'Monsoon Food Festivals' to boost tourism
2007-07-24 13:30:00
Kerala hoteliers are organising various kinds of 'Monsoon Food Festivals ' to boost tourism in the state. Food festivals are arranged mostly in restaurants every year, and during this three-month monsoon period, hoteliers compete in terms of unique preparations.Sunil K. Nayar, a chef at the Mermaid Hotel, said: "The 'Monsoon Dosa Festival' last year received a positive response from customers, and prompted us to organize one this year also." The festival this year, offered a wide variety of rolls and grills, said Nayar. Restaurants promote items like chicken spider roll, chicken sausage roll covered with puff pastry and baked and served with garlic mayonnaise, spicy marinated masala grilled fish finger flavoured, southern grilled squid with crushed coriander, tawa hariyali murgh, a boneless chicken pieces marinated with spicy green masala, grilled and served with mint chutney. Some exclusive selections include mix seafood sautéed with a typical masala, or a stuffed roomali ro...
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Kerala Wildlife
2007-07-24 09:37:00
        ;      For those who love wildlife and enjoy embarking on a wildlife safari, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which you'll see when you travel to Kerala , India, is the place to head for.         ;      Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the ranges of the Western Ghats and has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Though this sanctuary is basically a Tiger Reserve, tourists travel to Kerala, India, to see the Indian elephants and other animal species who can be seen bathing and playing in Periyar Lake.         ;     To tour the sanctuary, you can embark on a boat cruise on Periyar Lake and observe the rich wildlife that Periyar is so famous for. Periyar Lake, an artificial lake or reservoir, created by a dam on the Periyar River, is home to wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even tige...

Things you should know when visiting Kerala - Kerala Travel Tips
2007-07-24 04:31:00
Visas: You will need a Tourist Visa if you wish to travel to Kerala , India from the UK Money: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring, when they travel to Kerala, India. Banks: Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays (10.00 to 12.00 hrs). Best time to visit: High season: October to April - Monsoon. Rejuvenation programmes: May to September Travel wear: Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, and remember to carry sunscreen lotion when you travel to Kerala, India. Credit cards: Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards. Currency: Indian Rupee (INR) Drugs: Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs. Food: All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare. Emergency numbers: Police control room: 100, Fire station: 101, Ambulance: 101 Water: Tap water is purified and qui...
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Changed Names of Cities of Kerala
2007-07-24 04:26:00
New Name Old Name Alappuzha Alleppey Kozhikode Calicut Kochi Cochin Palakkad Palghat Kollam Quilon Thalasseri Tellicherry Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum
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