PC Vishnunadh: ‘We will lure travellers to Keralam using Ayurveda, adventure tourism’
On the sidelines of the Onam festival and the tourism department’s weeklong celebrations, HT caught up with PC Vishnunadh, the state tourism and culture minister, to talk about the challenges and positives in both sectors
PC Vishnunadh, Kerala's tourism and culture minister, spoke about the government's plans to attract more tourists to the state during the Onam festival and other occasions. The minister highlighted the upcoming Nehru Trophy and Aranmula snakeboat races, as well as various cultural performances like Theyyam, Padayani, and Tholpavakuthu. He also mentioned the creation of a special Onam song that picked up over a million views and featured him as the singer.
Vishnunadh listed the challenges faced by the tourism and culture departments, such as inadequate toilet facilities, lighting, and parking at popular destinations. To address these issues, the government plans to appoint 'green marshals' to maintain cleanliness and safety at tourist spots. Additionally, the minister announced the grant of 'industry' status to tourism and cinema, as well as the development of a film city, cultural park, and the venue for the International Film Festival of Kerala.
The minister emphasized Kerala's unique selling points, such as Ayurveda practices, medical value tourism, and the integration of culture with the annual tourism calendar. He stated that the goal is to ensure that travellers can experience Kerala's forests, backwaters, and sea in a single trip while also supporting the local economy through homestay owners and promoting women's safety.
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