The state governments latest initiative in the tourism sector –KeravanKerala – has evoked positive response from the entrepreneurs. In a month after opening the registrations, the tourism department has receivedproposalsfor as many as213caravans and 66 caravan parks.
As many as 109 entrepreneurs have submitted proposals for 213 caravans, while 49 entrepreneurs have registered for 66 caravan parks with the tourism department. The policy has evoked fair response among the various stakeholders in the sector. We have received proposals for launching close to 300 caravans and caravan parks across the state. These are expected to be operational from January next year, tourism director V R Krishna Teja said.
While the caravans are specially- built vehicles for travel, leisure and stay, caravan parks are designated places to park the vehicles and enable the visitors to spend a night or a day or station for an extended period to explore the destination.
In its caravan policy, the government has incorporated all such norms to ensure that the concept does not have any flaws, and is Environment-friendly. For example, one of the norms set for the vehicles being used as caravans is that they should comply with the BS-VI norms of emission. Also, unlike in many other states where the policy is already operational, the caravan policy framed by the state insists that there should be a sewage treatment plant (STP) or has connection to a proper sewage system along with constant power and water supply.