Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 11:  The setback suffered by Kerala Tourism industry in the wake of the recent floods should serve as an example for sustainable development of tourism in the country, a Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Tourism said.

The damage suffered by the tourism industry in Kerala in the wake of the floods was among a range of issues that came up for deliberations at the Committee’s meeting in Kovalam on Monday, September 10, 2018.

Shri K J Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Govt. of India, while addressing the meeting, informed about the setback  faced by Kerala Tourism industry in view of the recent massive floods in the state.

He also told the members that such an adversity “should be taken as an example for development of tourism in a sustainable manner in the country.”

The meeting was attended by members of the Committee along with the Union Tourism Secretary and the Parliamentary Affairs Secretary. The Kerala government was represented by its Tourism Secretary Smt. Rani George and senior officials from the Tourism Department.

The Committee reiterated its support to the Kerala Tourism industry and “urged that all steps should be taken to bring it back on the rails after the recent floods.”

On the occasion, various stakeholders from Kerala Tourism industry, who were invited for the meeting, made a presentation before the Committee on the impact of floods on tourism sector. They also made a strong case for substantial support from the Central government to help the tourism industry recover from the impact of the natural calamity.

The parliamentary panel also discussed the issue of ensuring sustainability even as India records a robust growth in the tourism sector.