`I Aim To Achieve Growth Without Compromising On Quality’

M N Gunavardhanan, the new managing director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (KTDC) in conversation with Reema Sisodia, elucidates his plans to improve the corporation and better the tourism positioning of Kerala

Having recently taken over, what are your plans?

Providing quality service would be the one and only key element in all the institutions under the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (KTDC) umbrella. There is no compromise on this front. Today, we have seven premium hotels, eight budget hotels, six Yatri Nivas, 12 motels, 22 restaurants and four boat club resorts that are part of the KTDC family. Just a few weeks ago, we have upgraded the Mascot Hotel into a five-star brand. Hence, my focus would be completely on quality improvement in service and hospitality. I aim to achieve growth without compromising on quality.

Are there any proposals that you aim to pursue to improve the tourism positioning of the state?

We propose to promote health tourism and with health I mean a right balance between the practices of ayurveda and allopathy. Here the services may not be that of providing complicated medical treatments such as heart surgery but a greater emphasis on wellness. Ayurveda is a specialisation we are proud of and a combination with allopathic treatment in association with top class medical services would definitely prove to be a further boon to the state in the area of wellness tourism.

Is there a specific budget that you hope to receive to convert plan into action?

Rs 100 crore expansion plan is aimed at over a period of 10 years for tourism enhancement. Support from financial institutions would help. The finance would be used to develop newer destinations and improve facilities and areas, be it hill stations, beaches etc.

Are there any special projects lined up?

Yes, definitely. There are new projects we aim to pursue such as Palace on Wheels concept. We also have plans to improve pilgrim tourism in the state. We aim to develop some midway pilgrim places on the route to popular pilgrim places. Setting up of a floating restaurant is the also in the pipeline. Apart from these there are a host of other projects that are in the discussion stage.

Have other tourism players been supportive toward the improvement of the tourism position in the state?

Kerala's success has been a combined effort by both the public and the private sector. There is no doubt on that. In the hospitality sector, the Taj group has been proactive. and there has been a joint venture named Taj Kerala Ltd with a 33 per cent equity participation with the sate to improve the state’s hospitality sector.

What are the future markets you are aiming to target?

We are looking at the China market seriously. There is a lot of potential in the region to generate inbound business. Today, it would definitely help if even the smaller regions are well connected through air connectivity. Smaller aircraft and helicopter services between smaller destinations would help boost tourism further and besides getting international tourists into the state.