Kerala aims to boost tourism with CRZ relaxation, adding 10,000 hotel rooms and offering investment incentives to accelerate developments across the state.

Kerala is set to prioritize tourism development with the launch of a coordinated effort among government departments, as announced by KN Balagopal, the state’s finance minister, at the 12th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) in Kochi. With the recent approval of Kerala’s Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) management plan by the central government, the state is poised to expand its tourism infrastructure by adding 10,000 more hotel rooms. This CRZ relaxation will benefit 64 local self-government areas, opening more regions for tourism and other developments.

Balagopal highlighted that the government is considering offering investment incentives, such as interest subsidies, to accelerate developments and deliver faster returns to investors. The revised CRZ management plan reclassifies 66 of Kerala’s 245 panchayats as urban areas, reducing the coastal restriction zone from 200 meters to 50 meters, which will significantly boost tourism growth.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform industries, and Balagopal noted that creative and experiential sectors like tourism, arts, and culture will increasingly drive global economies. PA Mohamed Riyas, Kerala’s tourism minister, emphasized that Kerala’s strong connectivity through its four airports, road, rail, and water transport networks positions the state as a premier destination for MICE, wedding, medical, wellness, and cruise tourism.

The post Kerala to Boost Tourism with CRZ Relaxation and New Investment Incentives appeared first on Travel And Tour World.