Kozhikode: Kerala Public Works and Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas has stated that the completion of the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram six-lane national highway in December this year will significantly boost the tourism sector in the Malabar region. He added that this development would not only benefit Malabar but also lead to overall growth in the state’s tourism industry.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Gateway to Malabar Tourism B2B conference, organized by the State Tourism Department in Kozhikode. He highlighted that when the LDF government took office, Malabar attracted only six per cent of Kerala's total tourists. However, due to ongoing initiatives, there has been a marked improvement in tourism numbers in the region.

One of the key factors behind this growth, according to Riyas, is the decision by the Public Works Department to open rest houses for the public, which has provided added convenience for travellers. Additionally, the completion of the hilly and coastal roads along the national highway will elevate Kerala’s infrastructure to world-class standards, further enhancing tourism prospects, he added. 

The minister mentioned that the coastal road will be equipped with restroom facilities at intervals of every 50 kilometres, ensuring a more comfortable experience for visitors. He further added that Kerala is not merely competing with other states in the tourism sector but aiming to position itself alongside international destinations.

Riyas emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving this development and stated that the tourism sector in Kerala will soon see the positive results of the tourism investor meeting held in 2023.

The event was attended by several key figures, including Tourism Department Addl. Secretary Jagadish D, Joint Director D. Girish Kumar, Deputy Director Satyajit Shankar, and others.