The last time Kerala Tourism came up with something innovative was in the mid-1980s when it introduced houseboats on the state’s backwaters. That and the alluring catchphrase ‘God’s Own Country’ was an instant tourism magnet attracting millions of tourists to the state. Now, 35 years later, Kerala Tourism is making another attempt to revive the sector with a unique product.
It has introduced caravan tourism using motor homes to revive the pandemic-hit industry. The ‘Caravan Tourism’ project has two components–caravans and caravan parks. A super-luxury vehicle that offers travel, food, leisure and accommodation in caravan parks. The vehicle will have a bedroom, kitchenette with fridge, microwave oven, toilet cubicle with hand shower and sufficient freshwater storage. The vehicle will also have audio/ video facility, net connectivity and GPS.
The tourism department has offered a Rs 7.5 lakh subsidy for the first 100 caravans, Rs 5 lakh each for the next 100 and Rs 2.5…