Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Plans Religious Harmony Tours

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has come up with a tour package covering majorpilgrimcentres- titled God's own country, where gods live in harmony - to revive the diminishing charm of the state as a communally-tolerant society."The plan is to showcase Kerala as a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs and values, particularly when there are attempts to create religious discord among people from some corners," tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said.As part of the initiative, KTDC will launch a one-day tour programme in Kochi, connecting the Kalady Sankara Mutt, Kodungalloor Cheraman Juma Masjid , Vallarpadom Our Lady of Ransom Basilica and Mattancheri Jewish Synagogue.The government has given a go-ahead to the proposal and sanctioned Rs 1.20crore for the upgradation of infrastructure facilities in the proposed circuit. "We have already initiated procedures to buy an air-conditioned Volvo bus and once we get the bus, the project will become operational," the minister said.The KTDC is planning a grand launch to the project by roping in central and state ministers and celebrities as passengers on the inaugural tour.The tour programme, which will be operated directly by KTDC, will be promoted through national television channels and the print media, emphasizing on the state's rich cultural past and projecting it as one of the most tolerant societies in the world. "We have located several other circuits in the state to hold similar tour programmes," said Anilkumar.The KTDC-owned hotels in the circuit will soon get a facelift as part of the project. "This is an effort from our part to reinvent the brand, God's Own Country," KTDC managing director N Prasanth said. Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-17/thiruvananthapuram/37144265_1_ktdc-kerala-tourism-development-corporation-n-prasanth