Tourism industry has reason to cheer as the Revised Budget presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan here on Friday stressed that all the benefits provided to industries will be provided to the tourism sector. The State government has accepted the long-standing demand to declare tourism as an industry, the Chief Minister said.

The Budget has announced that necessary legal amendments will be made to make more land available for tourism in the plantation sector. Tourism amenity centres and houseboat terminals built under the mega tourism circuit project in Alappuzha will be renovated and utilised.

A waste treatment plant will be built in Alappuzha to treat houseboat waste. The Chief Minister also announced a pilgrimage tourism circuit project linking pilgrimage centres such as Arthunkal Basilica, Ambalappuzha Temple, Kakkazhom Church, Mannarasala, Krishnapuram Palace, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, and Ochira Temple.

A project with a master plan will be implemented for the comprehensive development of the Pathiramanal Island Eco-Tourism Centre. Along with this, a ropeway facility will be provided for tourists from Muhamma Jetty to the island. Muziris Tourism Project will be further expanded, making it the most important centre of heritage tourism in India. The project will include live museums, heritage museums and boat trips on traditional waterways. A total of ₹19 crore has been allocated for this project.

A new ‘Green Marshals’ project will be launched on a pilot basis in major tourist destinations, including Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kovalam and Alappuzha. As part of the project, women will be trained and deployed as Green Marshals to promote cleanliness, responsible visitor behaviour and environmental awareness.

In addition, community-based tourism hubs and cultural tourism hubs will be established that will create employment opportunities while preserving Kerala’s unique traditions, food culture and cultural heritage. The concept of ‘Brand Wayanad’ will be introduced. The government also took steps to promote Ashtamudi tourism through the Budget.

Women-led tourism initiatives, homestays and responsible tourism projects will be expanded across the State. The Budget also announced smart tourism applications, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital tourism platforms. Minister for Tourism P.C. Vishnunadh said the Budget considered many of the long-standing demands of the tourism sector in the initial phase, including granting industry status.