Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 19 (PTI) The tourism sector received a major boost in the revised Kerala budget for 2026-27 on Friday with an allocation of Rs 325.36 crore and a series of projects aimed at strengthening hospitality, heritage, eco-tourism and medical tourism.
Presenting his maiden budget, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said steps would be taken to make tourism a priority sector in the state.
He announced that measures would be initiated to declare tourism as an industry so that all incentives available to industries could also be extended to the tourism sector.
“Necessary amendments to existing laws would be brought in to enable the use of more land in plantation areas for tourism purposes,” he said.
Satheesan said tourism amenity centres and houseboat terminals constructed under the Mega Tourism Circuit Project in Alappuzha district with central assistance during the UPA government period would be renovated and put to effective use.
A waste treatment plant would also be established in Alappuzha for treatment of houseboat waste and other waste generated by tourism activities, he said.
The chief minister announced a Pilgrimage Tourism Circuit Project in Alappuzha connecting destinations, including Arthunkal Basilica, Ambalappuzha Temple, Kakkazham Mosque, Mannarasala, Krishnapuram Palace, Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Ochira Temple.
“A master plan-based project would be implemented for the comprehensive development of the Pathiramanal Island Eco-Tourism Centre. Ropeway facilities connecting Muhamma Jetty and the island would also be introduced,” he added.
The government allocated Rs 19 crore for the Muziris Tourism Project.
“The Muziris Tourism Project will be expanded and transformed into India’s foremost heritage tourism destination by promoting environmentally sustainable tourism while preserving the ancient monuments in the project area. The project will include a live museum, heritage museums and boat journeys through traditional waterways. A total allocation of Rs 19 crore is made for this project,” Satheesan said.
A pilot “Green Marshals” scheme will be introduced in major tourist destinations, including Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kovalam and Alappuzha, he said.
“Under the programme, women will be trained and deployed as Green Marshals to promote cleanliness, responsible visitor behaviour and environmental awareness,” he said.
Satheesan said the government would place greater emphasis on eco-tourism, biodiversity tourism, mangrove tourism, farm tourism, agri-tourism and rural experiential tourism.
In addition, community-based tourism hubs and cultural tourism hubs will be established to generate employment while preserving Kerala’s unique heritage, food culture and cultural traditions.
“The ‘Brand Wayanad’ concept will be introduced. Ashtamudi tourism will be promoted. Women-led tourism enterprises, homestays and responsible tourism projects will be expanded across the state. Smart tourism applications, including AI-enabled advanced digital tourism platforms, will be developed,” he said.
The budget also announced schemes to promote academic tourism by attracting students from abroad to Kerala.
An International Maritime Museum, envisioned as the anchor of Kerala’s maritime tourism sector, will be established with an allocation of Rs 50 crore.
The budget further proposed measures to promote farm tourism and dam tourism initiatives across the state. PTI TBA TBA KH
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