Kerala Tourism Development Corporation's new chairman promises a total revamp

Former Speaker M Vijayakumar, who assumed charge as the new chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), has promised a total revamp of the public sector undertaking with an immediate agenda of moulding the employees to help reach its full business potential in tourism and hospitality sectors.
“The KTDC has failed to keep pace with Kerala tourism’s growth or in tapping the full potential, which calls for a total revamp of the corporation.In our immediate agenda are providing adequate training to employees, total computerisation, an error-free online booking system and renovation of various properties in a phased manner,” Vijayakumar told media after taking charge here on Thursday.
The new KTDC chairman was quick to announce short-term and long-term plans, which he said would be implemented in a time bound manner. “The short-term plans, to be accomplished in a year, include staff training, computerisation, a redressal forum to handle complaints from employees, special system to ensure customer satisfaction, renovation of existing properties in a phased manner, implementation of a ‘preventive maintenance protocol’, monthly monitoring and evaluation and a strengthened vigilance cell,” he elaborated.
Among the specific works in the short-term plans are a facelift to Mascot Hotel in the capital city, better utilisation of G V Raja Convention Centre at Kovalam, a marina at Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, completion of KTDC resort at Bakel, enhancing boating facilities in Thekkady and resumption of conducted tours.
The highlight in Vijayakumar’s long-term plans (to be accomplished within five years) is establishment of the Chennai-model (property of KTDC) guest house-cum-hotels in various other cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, besides in pilgrim centres like Mookambika, Tirupati and Guruvayur, ‘for which funds can be generated from Kerala State Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIFBI)’.
The long-term plans also include a comprehensive ‘environmental-impact’ study by an expert committee, establishment of wayside amenities like clean toilets alongside the main roads across the state and an ambitious project at the drive-in beach at Muzhappilangadu near Thalassery. ‘The aim is to make the KTDC and Kerala Tourism a well-known brand across the globe,” the chairman added.