THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state has announced a comprehensive, stakeholder-friendly caravan tourism policy that promises the tourists a safe, customized and closest-to-nature travel experience.
“This marks a paradigm shift almost three decades after the state made it big with houseboat tourism that provided a unique experience to visitors and positioned the state as a major global destination,” said tourism minister P A Mohamed Riyas, while unveiling the policy which offers attractive investment subsidies to caravan operators.
He said that like other successful tourism products of the state launched since the 1990s, caravan tourism is also expected to be developed in public-private partnership (PPP) mode with private investors, tour operators and local communities being key stakeholders, he said. Investment subsidies would be given to caravan operators, the details of which would be announced soon, he added.
Two major components of the new concept include touring caravans and caravan parks. While the first involves specially-built vehicles for travel, leisure and stay, caravan parks are designated places to park the vehicles and enable the visitors to spend a night or a day or station for an extended period to explore the destination. Caravan tourism is expected to promote responsible tourism activities for sustainable growth and for the benefit of local communities, promote eco-friendly practices and market for local products.
“Going by the state’s inherent strengths of natural beauty and tourism-friendly culture, caravan tourism has immense scope for the state. Besides offering a refreshing experience for tourists, local communities stand to gain substantially by enabling them to showcase their culture and products before the visitors,” said tourism director V R Krishna Teja.
There will be two types of caravans. In one model, two guests shall be accommodated, while the other is for a family of four members. The tourism caravans will have all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay such as sofa-cum-bed, kitchenette with fridge and microwave oven, dining table, toilet cubicle, partition behind the driver, air-conditioner, internet connectivity, audio-video facilities, charging system and GPS.
Eco-friendliness being a major feature of caravan tourism, preferably Bharat Stage VI-compliant vehicles will be pressed into service. Assuring complete security of the guests, there will be IT-enabled real-time monitoring of caravans. A fool-proof approval mechanism is also put in place for approval for the operation of caravans based on the procedures set by the motor vehicles department.
The caravan parks are to be developed in the private sector, public sector or in the joint sector. The configuration of parks will vary from location to location. A caravan park will be a completely safe and secure zone offering a hassle-free and stress-free environment to tourists, protected with necessary features like compound wall, adequate security and safety arrangements, patrolling and surveillance cameras. The park authorities will coordinate with local authorities and medical establishments in case of medical emergencies.
A minimum 50 cents land is required for a park with at least five parking bays. The park design should be compatible with its surroundings, causing the least possible disturbance to the site. Landscaping and plantation have to be planned to ensure privacy, green cover, and take into account factors such as wind, dust and noise.
The parks in hilly and ecologically-fragile areas will have to incorporate creative architecture in conformity with local heritage. The parks should have proper water harvesting structures and there should be a strategically located open space for recreation, a forecourt, drive-in area and turning circles. The parks will also have tourist facilitation centres to inform the visitors of amenities and services available.
