According to a CII survey, the foreign exchange earned by Keralas tourism industry increased by 20 per cent with the inflow of tourists going up by 15 to 20 per cent in October 2005-March 2006.

The inflow of tourists to Kerala is expected to grow by nearly 25 per cent while the industry revenue is set to increase by 15 to 20 per cent during April-September this year, thanks to a growing corporate demand and growth of Ayurvedic tourism, says the CII.

According to a CII survey, the foreign exchange earned by Keralas tourism industry increased by 20 per cent with the inflow of tourists going up by 15 to 20 per cent in October 2005-March 2006. The occupancy rate in hotels and resorts had shown a moderate increase and the profit margins increased substantially by raising the tariffs in hotels and resorts.

The CII survey covered the performance of the top five sectors of the Southern Region states during October 2005 to March 2006 and provided an outlook for the first six months of the fiscal year 2006-07 and identified their issues and concerns.

After deciding to introduce Big B and Ash as brand ambassoders of Kerala tourism, now it offers chopper service for tourists, the first one of its kind in the country, will take off from Kovalam on June 15. The six-seater chopper will airlift tourists from Kovalam to various tourism destinations such as Munnar, Kumarakom, Kochi etc.

King Rotors and Air Charter, a private limited company that will operate the chopper service, has already received the authorization from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The company has purchased its first helicopter from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

For a tourists visiting Kerala, road travel from Kovalam to Kochi takes a more than 10 hours. But in a chopper, it takes less than an hour through air.

…and the kerala tourism really flies…

The Kerala tourism authorities are trying out their best to catch up the off season that would bang the tourism business in the state. Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are being roped in as brand ambassadors for promoting its tourism campaign.With a move to boost the state tourism drive, Bachchan will be seen associated with the tourism promos, while Ash is said to be featured in Ayurveda tourism commercial. When God’s Own Country looks around for a brand ambassador to entice tourists, it wants the world’s most beautiful woman for the job. And, of course she has the country’s biggest star along with her. Bachchan is likely to cost the state over Rs 1 crore and Ash about Rs 80 lakh!

“The talks have been on for nearly six months now and both have agreed to slash the original fees, quite well appreciative of our funds constraints. I met Mr Bachchan at a tourist resort in Idukki last week. But we didn’t talk much business since it was a courtesy call,” says Kerala Tourism director B. Suman.

Right now, Amitabh Bachchan is at the Tea County in the high-range Munnar, shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s film Nishabd. Later in the month Ash is also likely to shoot in Kerala for a song sequence with Abhishek for Mani Ratnam’s Guru.

One must understand it is NOT , rather it is absolute VALUE FOR MONEY. Its not because of any low quality work nor due to out dated medicines. But its just Due to the current favorable Rupee/Dollar/Pound/Euro exchange rate foreign clients can take advantage of the weak Rupee and expect savings of up to 65% over the same treatment in their own countries, with no compromise on quality.

For the average Indian, Private medical care is very expensive, but for those visitors with Sterling, Euros or Dollars it is a bargain price considering what you would pay back home for an elective procedure with a top specialist with no long waiting list.

The Kerala State Cooperative Bank (KSCB) has launched ‘Co-bank Grama Yatra’ loan scheme to promote rural tourism in a big way. Under the scheme, the bank will provide assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh for individuals, partnership concerns and companies who are ready to develop lodging, food, travel and other facilities for tourists.

Around 150 percent of the loan amount should be given as collateral security. The repayment period is seven-and-a-half years, with a moratorium of six months.

The Co-bank Grama Yatra scheme will also provide Rs 25 lakh for the construction of a houseboat and Rs 10 lakh for its maintenance.

The KSCB has also launched two more new loan schemes. One: a scheme to buy agricultural land. Two: a scheme to open showrooms, franchisees, margin free markets, call centres, computer centres and other small businesses.