Sunday, November 10, 2024
On November 11, Shri PA Mohamed Riyas, the Minister for Tourism and Public Works, will inaugurate a brand new seaplane service geared toward enhancing the state’s tourism sector. The inaugural occasion might be chaired by Shri P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Regulation, and Coir, and can happen at 9:30 AM on the Bolgatty Palace in Kochi. Subsequently, a celebratory reception for the seaplane’s crew and passengers will happen at Mattupetty Dam in Idukki, attended by Shri Roshy Augustine, Minister for Water Assets.
The seaplane, a ‘de Havilland Canada’, is scheduled to reach at Kochi Worldwide Airport on November 10 at 2 PM and can proceed to Bolgatty Palace’s waterdrome by 3:30 PM, the place the Division of Tourism will host the crew. This service is a part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN initiated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Authorities of India, to boost connectivity between Kerala’s airports and its scenic backwaters.
Shri Riyas highlighted the importance of improved connectivity for the expansion of Kerala’s tourism trade. The service, operated by a Switzerland-based non-public firm in collaboration with SpiceJet, follows profitable trials in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Complete inspections and surveys have been carried out by officers from the Cochin Port Belief, Indian Navy, and different concerned entities to make sure readiness.
“The launch of heli-tourism is a significant step in this direction, making our destinations more accessible for quick, seamless travel. Additionally, the expansion of motorable roads connecting even the remotest parts of Kerala ensures that tourists can now reach far-off locations with ease, enjoying scenic routes along the way,” the Minister famous.
“Our efforts also extend to the development of national highways, as well as coastal and hill highways, which will further boost connectivity. Seaplane services will soon complement these efforts, positioning Kerala as a well-connected destination through a robust network of transportation channels—including waterways, highways, helicopters, and now, seaplanes. These initiatives underscore our commitment to making Kerala a tourism-friendly state with unmatched connectivity,” Shri Riyas added.
Tourism Secretary Shri Okay Biju famous that the seaplane service would enable vacationers to cowl extra locations effectively and is predicted to be promoted internationally to spice up customer numbers. Tourism Director Smt. Sikha Surendran anticipates that the service will even bolster home tourism, particularly in distant areas accessible primarily by waterways.
The initiative goals to attach Kerala’s 4 airports and potential waterdromes, leveraging the state’s considerable water our bodies to enhance vacationer entry to numerous points of interest. Discussions are underway to determine further waterdromes in a number of areas together with Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Vembanad, Malambuzha, and Bekal. These seaplanes, obtainable in varied sizes together with 9, 15, 20, and 30-seaters, supply a novel approach for passengers to embark instantly from water surfaces.
