The Kerala Tourism Awards for the last year declared by the government of Kerala.

1. Best Kerala Tour Operator (on Customer Base): Travel Corporation of India
2. Best Kerala Tour Operator ( Foreign Money Earned): Travel Corporation of India
3. Best 1 Star Hotel: Periyar House, Thekkady
4. Best 2 Star Hotel: Hotel Samudra, Kovalam
5. Best 3 Star Hotel: The Marari Beach, Mararikulam
6. Best 4 Star Hotel: The Spices Village, Thekkady
7. Best 5 Star Hotel: Tag Residency, Marine Drive, Kochi
8. Best 5 Star Deluxe Hotel: Tag Malabar Hotel, Kochi
9. Best Heritage Hotel: Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom
10. Best Ayurveda Center: Somatheeram Ayurvedic Hospital & Yoga center, Chovvara, Kovalam
11. Best Homestay: Tranquil, Wayanad
12. Best House Boat Operator: Rainbow Cruises, Alappuzha
13. Best Motel/Vazhiyoram: Motal Aaram, Kayamkulam
14. Best Eco Friendly Tourist Project: Spices Village, Thekkady
15. Best District Tourism Promotion Council: Kannur
16. Best Tourism Documentary/Video: KS Rajasekharan, DoorDarshan
17. Best Tourism Club: St.Catherine School, Wayanad
18. Best Tourism Club Student Coordinator: Susmitha Sekhar, College for Women, Aluva
19. Best Hotel/Tourism Institute: Oriental School of Hotel management, Wayanad
20. Best Tourism publication: Tourism India magazine, Tvm
21. Best Hotel Manager: H Rajagopal Iyyer, Udaya Samudra, Kovalam
22. Best Marketed Tourism Product: Medical Tourism by Great India Tour Company

The 54th Nehru Trophy Boat Race won by Paipadan Chundan of Kumarakom Boat Club.

Paippadan Chundan Captained by Raju Vadakkedathu, took the lead from the half way mark onwards and surged ahead. The team, which has rich legacy in the tournment’s history, bagged the Nehru trophy and prize money of Rs.3.75 Lakhs.

For the first time in the history of the boat race, ten women rowed a boat in the category of Thekkanodi and created history by winning the cahmpionship in their category. Julie Amer, who led the foreign contingent, said they will also contest for the next year .

Kerala Chief Minister will inagurate the 2006 Nehru Trophy Boat Race on the banks of Punnamada Backwater, Alappuzha at 2.30 pm.

Preparations have been completed for the 54th edition of the boat race in which more than 60 boats will participatein eight categories.

A new website listing homestays and farm stays in Kerala released today. Please click on the linkfor more details KeralaFarmStay.Com

A new website listing house boats in Kerala Launched.

Visit http://www.keralahouseboats.info

The Kerala government Tuesday announced that private investors would put in a whopping Rs.10 billion ($213 million) this fiscal for promotion of tourism in the state.

Tourism Minister Koderi Balakrishnan said all investment above Rs.50 million would be approved through a special window clearance, thereby making it easier for the investors.

‘We would also like to ensure that the local community gets a share of the earnings. The locals would be involved for promoting the ethnic culture and heritage of the state,’ said Balakrishnan, adding that the policy of the government is to promote ‘responsible tourism’.

Ayurvedic massage parlours in Kerala, which are immensely popular with foreign and domestic tourists, will soon come under the government scanner, Kerala Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy said Saturday.

While tourist resorts offering ayurveda massage do roaring business during the peak monsoon season, Sreemathy said the government would see to it that no exploitation takes place at such centres.

“We have reports that certain undesirable activities do take place in the name of ayurveda in certain places. At no cost will we tolerate this,” he said here, while releasing a new publication on ayurveda.

Ayurveda is most effective during the rainy months of June, July and early August. It is the best season for administering the treatment, as the human body is best suited for ayurveda during this time.

The Trivandrum Golf Club, one of the oldest Golf Club in Kerala, India now join hands with Kerala Tourism to promote Golf Tourism.

About  The Trivandrum Golf Club

“The existing fact that the Travancore Royal Family, established the Trivandurm Golf Course same time during 1850s unfortunately has not received the due attention, importance and publicity it should have got. With this heritage and background, one can say with certain amount of confidence and pride that Kerala had a Golf Couse long before America or Europe had established Golf Clubs. In fact The Trivandrum
Golf Club has the OLDEST GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD, outsitde GREAT BRITAIN.

In order to high light this fact and to make Kerala Golf destination for Golfers and Tourists, The Trivandrum Golf Club has decided to conduct a publicity drive and sell “Golf in Gods own Country” during the year 2002-2003, with a comprehensive programme of Golf Tournaments and allied activities.

We are sure that, being an, Organization which have some links with this beautiful State, you would be proud to associate with this, and lend us a helping hand in our efforts.”

Click Here to visit the Club website

The foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala grew in the range of 13-14 per cent last year compared to the previous year, the growth in the domestic arrivals was only 2 per cent. The immediate aim is to achieve a growth of 5 per cent in domestic arrivals. The efforts to package monsoon and attract tourists is an attempt towards this direction. Campaigns are on in four metros and the feedback from hotels has been encouraging.
Read more  here

Kerala tourism palns to introduce seaplane service to link major tourist destinations in Kerala. Read the details here