{"id":2323,"date":"2011-02-05T08:08:17","date_gmt":"2011-02-05T16:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.generalknowledgetoday.com\/?p=2323"},"modified":"2011-02-05T08:08:17","modified_gmt":"2011-02-05T16:08:17","slug":"kerala-and-kerala-tourism-at-a-glance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/?p=2323","title":{"rendered":"Kerala and Kerala Tourism at a Glance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kerala<\/strong>, a State in the Republic of India, has 14 districts or administrative divisions. Kerala,\u00a0 situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by the National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism . Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.<\/p>\n

Marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation\u2014the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state\u2014laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala Tourism was able to transform itself into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tag line Kerala- God’s Own Country was adopted in its tourism promotions and became synonymous with the state. Today, Kerala Tourism is a global superbrand and regarded as one of the destinations with the highest brand recall.In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourists\u2013an increase of 23.68% in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, thus making it one of the fastest growing tourism destination in the world.<\/p>\n

Popular attractions<\/strong> in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The “backwaters” region\u2014an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada\u2014also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performances.<\/p>\n

The major cities are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. There are three airports in the state which provide international and domestic connections.Here is some quick information on Kerala which will be useful for travellers visiting the State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nLocation<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nSouthwestern tip of India.<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nArea<\/td>\n:<\/td>\n38,863 sq km.<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPopulation<\/td>\n:<\/td>\n31,84,1374<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nCapital<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nThiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nLanguage<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nMalayalam. English is widely spoken.<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nReligion<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nHinduism, Christianity, Islam<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nTime<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nGMT +5:30<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nCurrency<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nIndian Rupee<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nClimate<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nTropical<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nSummer<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nFebruary – May (24 – 33\u00b0C)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nMonsoon<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nJune – August (22 – 28\u00b0C)
\nOctober – November<\/td>\n		<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nWinter<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nNovember – January (22 – 32\u00b0C)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDistricts<\/td>\n<\/td>\nOld Name<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\"\" <\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKasaragod<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKannur<\/td>\n<\/td>\nCannanore<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nWayanad<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKozhikode<\/td>\n<\/td>\nCalicut<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nMalappuram<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPalakkad<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPalghat<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nThrissur<\/td>\n<\/td>\nTrichur<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nErnakulam<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nIdukki<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKottayam<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nAlappuzha<\/td>\n<\/td>\nAlleppey<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPathanamthitta<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKollam<\/td>\n<\/td>\nQuilon<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nThiruvananthapuram<\/td>\n<\/td>\nTrivandrum<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nMajor Cities<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nOld Name<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nThiruvananthapuram<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nTrivandrum<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKochi<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nCochin<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nKozhikode<\/td>\n:<\/td>\nCalicut<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Important Awards Bagged by Kerala Tourism<\/h2>\n

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS<\/h3>\n

World Tourism Travel Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards<\/p>\n

One of the three finalists in the Destination Category – Kerala,2006<\/p>\n

ITB Berlin<\/h2>\n

Das Golden Stadttor Award for the Print campaign, 2007
\nDas Golden Stadttor Award for Best Commercial, 2006<\/p>\n

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)<\/h2>\n

Gold Award 2010 for Best Website
\nGold Award 2009 for Marketing “Dream Season in Gods Own Country”
\nGold Award 2008 for Culture – Utsavam, Kerala Arts Festival
\nGold Award 2008 for Consumer Travel Brochure – Kerala Tourism Theme Brochure
\nGold Award 2007 for Culture – Aranmula Cultural Village
\nGold Award 2007 for Brochure – Destination Brochure Kit
\nGrand Award for Environment – Zero Waste Kovalam, 2006
\nGold Award for Ecotourism – Kumbalangi Tourism Village, 2006
\nGold Award 2006 for Publication Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
\nGold Award for the best E-Newsletter, 2005
\nHonourable Mention for Culture, 2005
\nGold Award for Culture, 2004
\nGold Award for Ecotourism, 2004
\nGold Award 2004 for the best CD-ROM Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
\nGold Award 2003 for the best CD-ROM, Kerala: The Green Symphony
\nGold Award for Marketing, 2003
\nGrand Award for Heritage, 2002<\/p>\n

Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA)<\/h2>\n

\nInternational Award for Leisure Tourism, 2000-2001<\/h2>\n

UNESCO Asia-Pacific<\/h2>\n

Heritage Award – Honorable Mention – Arakkal Kettu, Kannur, 2006<\/p>\n

New York ad Festivals<\/h2>\n

Finalist Award – Kerala Tourism – 2005<\/p>\n

NATIONAL AWARDS<\/h2>\n

Government of India <\/strong><\/p>\n

Most Innovative Adventure Activity -International Paragliding Championship, 2007-08
\nBest Responsible Tourism Project – Better Together- Responsible Tourism Initiative, Kerala, 2007-08
\nBest Tourism Film \/ Audio Visual Presentation 2007-08 for DVD Rhapsodies from God’s Own Country
\nBest Performing Tourism State, 2006
\nBest Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument – Sakthan Thampuran Palace 2006
\nMost Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2005-06
\nBest Performing Tourism State, 2005
\nBest Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument, 2005
\nBest Publishing 2004-05 for Book on Ayurveda
\nBest Marketed and Promoted State, 2004
\nBest Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument, 2004
\nBest Innovative Tourism Project, 2004
\nBest Promotion Literature, 2004
\nBest Publishing 2003-04 for Book on Panchakarma
\nBest Performing State for 2003, 2001, 2000 and 1999 – Award for Excellence in Tourism. (For rapid growth, development and advancement in the tourism sector)
\nBest Practices by a State Government, 2003
\nBest Eco-tourism Product, 2003
\nBest Wildlife Sanctuary, 2003
\nMost Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2002-03
\nMost Tourist-friendly International Airport, 2002
\nMost Eco-friendly Destination, 2002
\nBest Tourism Film, 2001
\nMost Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2000-01
\nMost Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2008-09<\/p>\n

Outlook Traveller – TAAI<\/h2>\n

Best State that promoted Travel & Tourism, 2000-2001<\/p>\n

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)<\/p>\n

Award for Best Marketing, 2003
\nAward for Best Use of IT in Tourism, 2004<\/p>\n

Galileo – Express Travel & Tourism<\/p>\n

Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2006
\nAward for the Best State Tourism Board, 2005
\nAward for the Best State Tourism Board, 2003<\/p>\n

Net4 PC World <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Award for Best website in the tourism category, 2008<\/p>\n

Indian Association of Tour Operators’ (IATO)<\/p>\n

Award for the Best CDs, 2004<\/p>\n

NDTV<\/h2>\n

Business Leadership Award in Travel Category, 2007<\/p>\n

CNBC Award<\/h2>\n

Best Tourism Board, 2009
\nBest Travel Destination 2009
\nBest State Tourism Board – Kerala, 2007
\nBest Travel Destination – Thekkady, 2007<\/p>\n

Kerala State E-Governance Awards<\/h2>\n

* Best Website, 2008<\/p>\n

courtesy :official website of kerala government and kerala tourism.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/keralatourism.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kerala, a State in the Republic of India, has 14 districts or administrative divisions. Kerala,\u00a0 situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7665,7667,7670],"tags":[7170,7645,7646,7647,2438,2442,7648,7649,7650,7651,7652,7653,2451,7654,7655,7656,7657,7658,7659,7660,7661,7662,7663,7664,7666,6627,7668,7669,7671],"class_list":["post-2323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-todays-featured-article","category-tourism","category-wild-life-sancturies-in-india","tag-about-kerala","tag-all-about-kerala-tourism","tag-attractive-destinations","tag-cherai-and-varkala-the-hill-stations-of-munnar","tag-gods-own-country","tag-kerala","tag-kerala-airports","tag-kerala-at-a-glance","tag-kerala-beaches","tag-kerala-culture","tag-kerala-information","tag-kerala-places","tag-kerala-tourism","tag-kerala-tourism-development-corporation","tag-kerala-tourism-is-a-global-superbrand","tag-kerala-tours","tag-kerala-travel","tag-keralatourism","tag-kochi-and-kozhikode","tag-kovalam","tag-ktdc","tag-nelliampathi","tag-ponmudi-and-wayanad-and-national-parks-and-wildlife-sanctuaries-at-periyar-and-eravikulam-national-park","tag-thiruvananthapuram","tag-tourisam","tag-tourism","tag-toursm-destinations","tag-uick-information-on-kerala","tag-world-tourism-travel-council","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2323"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generalknowledgetoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}