Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society has categorically denied
reports of tourism activities in the South Indian state being banned till November
this year in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.
KTM President Baby Mathew Somatheeram asserted the state government
has not issued any such instruction.
“Certain quarters are spreading the false propaganda by
misinterpreting the positive suggestion made by State Finance Minister Dr T M
Thomas Isaac that efforts to revive tourism in the state should start now
itself. In-fact, the finance minister has noted that the experience of foreign
tourists, who recovered from Covid-19 by receiving effective
treatment and care in Kerala, itself will boost the state’s tourism prospects
in the coming days,” he said.
The situation in Kerala is expected to turn normal by the end
of second phase of lockdown, May three. The sterling performance of the
state in containing Covid-19, thanks to its robust public health system and excellent
community health parameters, has attracted global attention.
The state is now making all preparations to receive tourists
once the country becomes Covid-19 free. Kerala Tourism is drawing up ambitious
plans to attract tourists in a big way, Baby Mathew added.
The society, founded in 2000 with a motive of promoting
tourism and related activities in the South Indian state, conducts the biennial
KTM — the country’s largest buyer-seller meet in the tourism segment.
Earlier, certain reports had claimed both Kerala and Goa banned
all tourism activities till October- November due to coronavirus pandemic. Goa Tourism
had refuted the reports on Tuesday itself.
