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By Shirajiv Sirimane

The Indian State of Kerala has taken the initiative to promote Sri Lanka and Kerala as one tourist destination for the European travel market. In an interview with the 'Daily News' at the Hotel Taj Samudra, the visiting Minister of Tourism and Fisheries Prof. K. V. Thomas said that similar tourist promotions are common in ASIAN, Malaysia and Singapore and other countries.

"Though Sri Lanka and India had been maintaining relations for several centuries this area had not been explored. We are far behind, and it is high time to promote this concept even at this late stage."

The Minister said that the two destinations have similar attractions to offer. "These two destinations have the beach, rich culture, Ayurvedha treatment and have professionals employed in the trade." The Minister who was in politics since 1984 said that even the literacy rates in both destinations are similar.

Prof. Thomas said that the aim of his visit is to promote this idea and he would be meeting representatives in this field. "We have already met the President of the Sri Lanka Travel Agents Association Udaya Nananyakkara and they are very excited about this idea."

He said that though there is peace in Sri Lanka the general concept among foreigners about the country has not changed. "When I told my wife I was visiting Sri Lanka she asked me to be careful. But after my visit I found that Sri Lanka is a safe and peaceful heaven."

A professor of Chemistry he said that a volatile situation in Sri Lanka always have had adverse effects on the entire region specially India. "When there is peace in Sri Lanka it is good for the whole region and we strongly support the ongoing peace initiate." He said that he is also planning to add the Maldives to these two destinations concept in the future.

Prof. Thomas who was in the teaching field for 34 years said that tourist promotions between India and Sri Lanka too had started only very recently. "This area too had a late start. There is a lot of potential between the two countries as you find high spending clients."

He welcomed the move by the Sri Lankan government to introduce the Visa on arrival policy'' for visitors from SAARC countries. "This is the best thing that happened to Sri Lanka's tourism recently."

He said that lengthy discussions to introduce this policy in India had been discussed but to no avail. "The main problem we are facing in India with regard to implementing this idea is the threat of terrorism in the region. But I haven't given up the idea and hope take this issue on a country by country basis."

Asked what proposals he has to remove the restriction on seat capacity on flights between the two countries he said that positive moves had been made in this regard. "I have made a series of representations to the Aviation authority in India and they are very flexible with regard to this issue." He said that state of Kerala is eagerly awaiting the arrival of more Sri Lankans tourists. "Since Sri Lanka is the fourth largest tour operator to India we know that with additional flights there will be more Sri Lankans visiting India. This will be a plus point for Kerala Tourism as well."

He said that his state has three international airports and he is proposing a direct flight from Sri Lanka to either of these three airports. "What I am proposing is an European bound flight with a stop over in Kerala.

This will easily promote the proposed two stop destination concept."

When contacted Head of Commercial J. T. Jayaseelan said that if the seat capacity and flying rights are offered, SriLankan airlines could easily fly to Kerala.

"The Indian Airlines has the rights, but for some unknown reasons they are not operating as yet. We are negotiating with the Civil Aviation Authority in this regard and hope to have positive results soon with regard to a flight to Cochin."

The Secretary to the Minister of Tourism India, T. Balakrishnan said that Kerala is very aggressive when it comes to promoting their destination. "We host international events very frequently and they are very successful."

He said that Kerala is being promoted as a boutique destination and is a very safe place. "Kerala's tourism growth graph shows an upward gradient, thanks to the worldwide popularity the state enjoys.

This growth is expected to continue at the same rate and touch the 10 million tourist mark by the year 2005."

The Secretary said that a unique tourism event will be held next month with global participation. "The 'Kerala Travel Mart' (KTM) will be held from October 3 to 5 at the International Convention Centre, in Cochin, India with over 350 buyers from all over the world attending it."

"KTM will present an opportunity to do an exceptional amount of quality business in three days," he said.

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