# Tourist Resorts (Kerala)

Tourist Resorts (Kerala) Ltd or (TRKL) is a Government of Kerala undertaking under Kerala Tourism Department, established in August 1989 to promote tourism investment and to develop Tourism infrastructure in the Indian state of Kerala. TRKL was conceived to identify tourism infrastructure needs of the state and bridge any identified gaps. Kerala is today growing at an amazing pace in tourism, adhering to the principles of indigenousness, environmental sustainability and community participation. Kerala's beaches, hill stations, backwaters, wildlife sanctuaries, historical monuments, etc. attract foreign as well as domestic tourists.
The growth in Tourism Industry has also created an infrastructure gap in various tourism amenities, resulting in a disparity in supply and demand. TRKL is working towards creating various investment, development and partnership models to address this issue and to catalyse growth. To broaden its activities TRKL is reconstituted as Kerala Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Company Ltd by the Government of Kerala.

## Administration

TRKL was separated from KTDC in 1989, as an independent company. A 1005 government owned enterprise, the company is managed by Managing Director, who reports to Chairman. The Government Secretary to Tourism Department, is the ex-officio Chairman of TRKL. The current Chairman is Dr.Venu IAS and Managing Director is T.K Manzoor. There are 3 nominated directors in the Board of Directors. The Government Secretary of Finance, Director of Kerala Tourism and Managing Director of KTDC are other members in the board.

## TRKL Activities

The range of activities conducted by TRKL can be broadly divided into three.

### Joint Venture Partnerships

The primary function of the company is to develop public-private partnership (PPP model) projects for tourism infrastructure development. Taj Kerala Hotels and Resorts is a joint venture between TRKL and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces under the PPP model. TRKL announced its latest PPP model project, an urban entertainment centre at Veli, Thiruvananthapuram. This particular project will contribute significantly to the tourism development of the capital city and Kerala as a whole.

#### TRKL-Taj JV

A pioneer in India in forging joint venture relationships with private sector, TRKL has floated joint ventures with Taj group. The joint venture company Taj Kerala Hotels and Resorts Ltd has developed the following Resort/Star Hotel projects in TRKL's properties.
TAJ Garden Retreat Varkala
TAJ Garden Retreat Kumarakom Located next to the Vembanad lake and a bird sanctuary, the Taj Garden Retreat Kumarakom is 14 km from Kottayam, and is accessible by both land and water.
Gateway Ernakulam Taj Residency Ernakulam is located on Marine Drive.

### PPP Venture

TRKL envisages developing tourism based projects on PPP Model, utilizing idle land owned by the Government in locations having tourism potential. One of the first project, identified is development of Veli Urban Entertainment Center with an amusement park, recreational hub and cultural museum.<>http://www.trkl.in/ppp_veli.php<>
In addition, TRKL have already partnered with Kerala Tourism for constructing mega International Convention Center at Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram, along with Mumbai-based Raheja Group.
Apart from it, TRKL is planning to start similar International Convention Center facility in Kochi in PPP Model.

### RE - NRK partnership

TRKL developed an initiative wherein a platform for interaction between resident entrepreneurs(RE) and non-resident Keralites (NRK's) were developed to promote investment in the sector.

### Government projects

TRKL worked as implementing agency for government projects like Sarovaram Bio Park, Thalassery Heritage Tourism Circuit Development, and the Thali Project.
* Sarovaram Bio Park
is an eco-tourism initiative by Government of Kerala. The bio park which was earlier known as dream city is located a Kozhikode district of Kerala. The project is executed after taking into consideration the environmental aspects. The park is located in an ecosystem consisting of Canoly Canal, wet lands, mangrove, bird habitat etc.
* Thalaserry Circuit, consisting of an Overburrys folly with View tower, walkway etc., a sea-view park, a pathway connecting Overburrys folly and sea-view children's park and a municipal park with recreation and cafes, located near Thalassery Fort, a prominent tourist location. http://www.trkl.in/gop_heritage.php
* Thali Temple Conservation Project, Kozhikode is one of the ancient Siva Temples in Kerala dating back to the days of the Zamorin's rule. The temple with its well balanced combination of wood and laterate in construction is considered one of the icons of the cultural heritage of Kerala, especially the Malabar region.
This project envisages conservation of this historic structure and its surroundings. It includes renovation of the temple pond, Altharas and surroundings.

### SAPARYA

Synergizing Actions through Participatory Approach, abbreviated as SAPARYA is the latest offering of TRKL in developing community based tourist projects, in which larger community invest together with TRKL in developing ecological sustainable community initiatives. The pilot project will be implemented in four districts: Kasaragod (Bekal, Valiyaparamba region), Kannur (Meenkunnu Beach, Thalassery region), Kottayam (Kumarakom, Aimanam region) and Pathanamthitta (Aranmula, Konni region). Gradually the project would be extended to other parts of the State. The project would address issues such as unregulated development, inadequate local benefits, social perception among common people towards tourism, degeneration of culture and heritage and increasing environmental impact. It would create tourism linkages and augment potential for various sectors like agriculture, fisheries, traditional industry, people and lifestyle and heritage. Touted as the first of its kind, this project aims in developing local economy and exposing to outside people without disturbing local environment and local customs and heritages.