The annual budget 2009-2010 of Kerala, presented by Dr Thomas Issac, Finance Minister in the Assembly yesterday, announced huge investments amounting to Rs 1,500 crore in basic infrastructure development in the Malabar region to tap the tourism potential of the region. The budget envisages overall infrastructure development of 27 tourism destinations of Malabar region, comprising Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Palghat districts. Out of the total allotted budget, 28 crore will be spent on developing infrastructure in the region.
The Finance Minister also announced many incentives for the tourism and hospitality industry in the state. These include 50 per cent tax deferment for approved hotels and houseboats, and compounding facilities for all the food items served through hotels and restaurants. Moreover, the budget also proposes creation of two new air strips at Idukki and Wayanad. Unlike in the past, the Finance Minister informed that henceforth instead of government acquiring land for tourism projects, the local people who spare land for tourism development will be made stakeholders in those projects. |