Kochi, June 19 -- The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society on Friday described the Kerala Budget's decision to grant industry status to the tourism sector as a "historic milestone", saying the move is expected to attract substantial investments and accelerate the growth of one of the state's key economic sectors.
Welcoming the announcement, KTM Society President Jose Pradeep said industry status would enable tourism enterprises to avail themselves of the same incentives and concessions extended to industrial units, including benefits related to electricity, water supply and taxation.
He said the decision would not only provide significant relief to existing tourism entrepreneurs but also encourage fresh investments in Kerala's tourism sector,...