Positive Developments in Kerala’s ‘Keravan Kerala’ Caravan Tourism Initiative
The Kerala Tourism Department has reported positive progress in its ‘Keravan Kerala’ caravan tourism initiative, with a favorable response from stakeholders. The 2024-25 budget allocates Rs 3.10 crore to this project, underscoring its significance. The government has granted subsidies totaling Rs 97.5 lakh to 13 entrepreneurs for caravan purchases under contracts with the Tourism Department, with each receiving Rs 7.5 lakh.
The Caravan Tourism project was conceived as a key component in the riveting mix that will help define the future of Kerala’s fast-growing tourism sector, Tourism Secretary K Biju said. Its details were worked out after hours of brainstorming involving policy makers, tourism stakeholders and domain experts, who converged on the view that this is an ideal mode to offer the best travel and holiday experience to both domestic and foreign tourists, he said.
“The project launch came with generous incentives and supports for caravan operators as well as park facilitators. It is unfair to dub such an evolving project with immense potential as having run off the track by citing some isolated cases,”he added.
Right from the start, the response to the project from the stakeholders have been highly encouraging. The suggestions from their side have been accommodated to make the policy more feasible, sustainable and inclusive, said Shri K Biju. The channels of communication with the stakeholders are live, and they are free to engage with the officials without waiting for formal meetings to be convened, he added.
Furthermore, the government has facilitated the resolution of clearance issues faced by caravan park developers with local authorities. A notable case involved Kaava Eco Camp in Malampuzha, developed by Mr. Sajeev Kurup. Initially halted by local and irrigation department notices, the intervention by the Kerala State Single Window Clearance Board, led by the Chief Secretary, resolved the issues, allowing construction to resume.
Additionally, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has received administrative approval to develop caravan parks in Bekal, Kasaragod, and Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, with the tendering process underway. Plans are also advancing for caravan parking facilities at KTDC properties in Bolgatty, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar, and Wayanad. Tourfed has been instructed to propose caravan tour packages, further expanding this burgeoning sector.
“Caravan Tourism is an excellent idea for Kerala. It can offer a safe, affordable and lively travel experience for tourists. This will especially help connect a lot of unidentified and unexplored locations of great scope to allure tourists with major destinations,” said Shri Sajeev Kurup, who is developing a caravan park at Malampuzha in Palakkad district.
The delay in getting local level clearances for developing caravan parks could be overcome if the Tourism Department designates a high-ranking nodal officer to resolve the hitches faced by developers, Shri Kurup added.
“The state needs more caravan parks for the project to materialise as envisaged”, said a leading tour operator, adding “government should market the product among the right target audience outside the state and the country, to generate more enquiries.”
Since the project’s inception, the Tourism Department has consistently held meetings with tourism entrepreneurs to gather their input for enhancing the project and addressing their concerns. The stakeholders have been open and responsive, with the Department swiftly addressing their feedback and complaints. As a result of these discussions, the project’s scope has been expanded to include a hybrid caravan tourism model that combines hotel facilities with caravan safaris. Moreover, the development of a Public-Private Partnership model, partnerships with hotels and resorts for parking spaces, utilization of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) properties, effective inter-departmental coordination to expedite clearances and incentives, engagement with local self-government bodies, and the integration of the caravan experience with adventure and sports tourism, complete with appropriate safeguards, are among the significant outcomes of stakeholder engagement.
