KOCHI: Tourism department is mooting a plan to start caravan parking hubs at prominent tourism destinations in and around Kochi. This will help launch caravan tourism, a new initiative of the state government, in the district.
The department has already identified locations for setting up caravan parking hubs in the district. Caravan tourism is a new concept being introduced by the state tourism department with the support of motor vehicles department (MVD). “Caravans will be provided by private tour and travel agencies.
The concept is that the vehicle can be used by tourists for reaching various destinations and at the same time accommodation can be provided when they want to stay at a particular destination or overnight stay,” an official with the tourism department said.
“There will be beds, facilities for cooking and all other amenities, including toilets, in the caravans. When the vehicle ends the trip for the day, it can be parked in the caravan parking hub in the nearest location. There will be a common kitchen, cooks and accommodation facilities for drivers, and service centre for vehicles.
There will be an open air auditorium as well so that the tourists in the caravans can enjoy or perform various programmes during the stay,” the official said. There will be a waste treatment plant in the caravan parking areas for treating waste from the biotoilets inside the caravans.
The tourism department is considering boat yard at Thevara, Fort Kochi, Munambam beach, Puthuvype beach, Aluva Manappuram, Ezhattumukham near Chalakkudy and Bhoothathankettu for setting up parking hubs. “The parking area will be enclosed. There will be caretakers for the hub,” said an official.
“Tourists can enjoy kayaking in destinations like Aluva, while cycling can be done at almost all destinations. A caravan tourism circuit in the district and inter-district circuits also will be marked so that the tourists can choose accordingly.
At a meeting convened by tourism minister P A Mohammed Riyas and transport minister Antony Raju in Kochi on Thursday, detailed discussions were held on the project implementation. An awareness class was also held for MVD officials from across the state on how to handle various aspects regarding caravan tourism.
“One of the key suggestions is that the tax for a caravan is Rs 1,000 per sq metre quarterly. The stakeholders demanded that the tax should be reduced to Rs
250. The ministers assured that the suggestion will be considered favourably. The ministers have also given instructions to the officials to ensure hassle-free service to the investors in the caravan tourism sector,” sources said.
There is also a plan to convert the boat yard at Thevara into a tourism centre. Unused KSRTC buses will be used for ‘foodie wheels’ project. The buses will act as restaurants.
