Regulatory Authority to ensure safety of tourists, check on hotel licences

Photo Courtesy: Kerala Tourism

The Kerala Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA), set to enhance the safety and security of tourists in Kerala, will be part a part of the Tourism policy and will also ensure that hotels have proper licences. “Whenever a tourist visits a place, the primary concern is whether he/she will be safe and secure in that place. Kerala, being an educated society and having high literacy rate, is already peaceful. There are no law and order issues normally. But when a tourist visits, he/she will expect more than that,” said Jafar Malik, Additional Director, Department of Kerala Tourism. Malik was talking on the sidelines of Kerala Tourism roadshow in West Bengal.

The government is targeting 100 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) and 50 per cent in domestic tourists in five years. It is with this aim that the government has launched the regulatory authority. “This would help put a stop to any unhealthy practices and guarantee better intervention of the Tourism Department through scrutiny and licensing system,” said Kadakampally Surendran, Kerala Tourism Minister.

Photo Courtesy: keralatourism.org

“There are lot of solo women travellers and international tourists roaming in the streets and visiting places without any kind of fear. That kind of situation has come only because of these kind of initiatives,” Malik added. KTRA will solely focus on safety and security, as well as work to ensure that hotels have proper licences. “This regulatory committee is not only for safety and security of tourists, but it will also keep a check on whether hotels have proper licences,” Malik said.