The Tourism Department is planning to launch new initiatives and complete the pending beautification work on many tourism spots in the district this year.
Officials of the department said that nearly Rs.10 crore would be invested exclusively in this sector in this fiscal. No fewer than 15 tourism projects will get the aid under the comprehensive development plan.
In the city limit, projects selected for the financial aid include the Mishkal mosque development plan, renovation of the aquarium on the Kozhikode beach, heritage project for the development of S.M. Street, and the beautification of the Butt Road beach. Nearly Rs.3 crore will be sanctioned to complete the first-phase development projects in these areas.
In rural areas
A major portion of the fund set aside for the current fiscal will be invested for the development of various potential tourism destinations in rural areas. It includes the Balussery tourism corridor project, Kakkayam-Peruvannamoozhi tourism master plan, Payamkuttimala tourism development project, completion of Thusharagiri eco-tourism project, development work at Arippara water falls, and setting up of a training academy for the Iringal Crafts Village.
The development work at the Kakkayam-Peruvannamoozhi regions has already started with an investment of Rs.1.9 crore. The main facilities coming up here include a facilitation centre, watch tower, boat jetty, cafeteria, improved parking facility, and better road connectivity. Along with the improvement of these spots, the South-East Tourism Corridor project implemented in the Thiruvambadi Assembly constituency too will get a boost.
Along with the funds of the department, the local development fund of people’s representatives from various Assembly constituencies too will come to the aid of development works in the identified destinations. The District Tourism Promotion Council, chaired by the District Collector, will look into the over all implementation of beautification projects.
