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Kerala tourist destinations to be 100 per cent ‘vaccinated zones’ by July 15

Kerala

All popular holiday destinations in Kerala may soon be declared as complete ‘vaccinated zones’ as the state government is mulling to provide COVID-19 jab to everyone in the tourism sector, which had suffered massive loss due to the pandemic.

The government has already started providing vaccines to those working in the industry after including them in the prioritised list considering them as front line COVID fighters, Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas told the state Assembly.

“We are mulling to make famous tourist destinations in the state 100 per cent vaccinated zones by July 15 with the support of the health department,” he said during the question hour.

He also added that the tourism sector has already incurred losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the tune of Rs 33675 crore. Elaborating more on this, he added that they are planning to make famous tourist hotspots in the state 100 per cent vaccinated zones by July 15, with support of the health department.

While presenting the budget in the assembly, Riyas also mentioned that Rs 50 crore will be alloted to the industry for marketing, in addition to the existing provision of Rs 100 crore.

Further, to provide support to the said sector and to resolve its issues, a rejuvenation package was also announced by the state Finance Minister K N Balagopal, who stated that an amount of Rs 30 crore has been earmarked as government share for its revival.

Also, to strengthen the sector, two new tourism circuits have been announced in the budget; Rs 50 crore was allocated for its implementation.