Badly Hit Tourism Industry Seeks Urgent Government Support to Restart Business
E. M. Najeeb Re-elected as President and
Sajeev.k.v As General Secretary of
Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industries (CKTI)
The Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry seeks urgent financial aid
package for the survival of the state’s biggest service industry sector
and other recovery measures for the 15 lakh employees who are directly
linked to travel, tourism and hospitality segments since the start of the
COVID-19 Pandemic.
In the recently concluded series of online meetings, around 35 registered
trade associations representing different tourism sectors function all
over Kerala unanimously decided to continue under one umbrella
organisation called CKTI and re-elected Mr. E.M Najeeb (Chairman ATE
group, Senior Vice President of Indian Association of Tour Operators and
Former President of KTM Society) as the President, and Mr. Sajeev Kurup
(MD Ayurvedamana Hospitals, President Ayurveda Promotion Society
and Former Secretary Of KTM Society ) as General Secretary.
Mr. Jose Dominic (Chairman of CGH Earth Hotels) is the Advisor and Mr.
G. Gopinath (MD BTH Hotels Kochi and President Kerala Classified and
Approved Hotels) as the Treasurer of the newly elected office bearers.
A 65-member Executive committee and 35-member Task force was also
formed from all trade Associations. The main aim of CKTI is to ensure
survival and then revival of the industry during and after the pandemic.
The Tourism Sector is the most important revenue generating sector in
Kerala with a total revenue of Rs 45000 crores, which makes up 11.5%
of the state’s GDP and giving employment to more than 15 lakh people.
The sector’s Foreign exchange revenue during the last financial year is Rs 10000 crores, goes far beyond the IT sector. It is one of the hardest hit
sectors in Kerala. Unfortunately, no relief measures were given by neither the
central nor state governments till date and most of the skilled and experienced
professionals within the industry workforce are out of jobs because of lockdown
and majority of the investors and industry stakeholders are finding it difficult to
maintain their businesses. Some of the professionals and investors have moved
to different areas trying to salvage their businesses like fish sales, online and
offline trade of pickles and food stuff, housekeeping contacts etc. just to make
ends-meet.
The rest of the industry body also observe the current situation and are unable
to contribute as the travel restrictions imposed worldwide from the last week of
February and consequent lockdown since March 22, 2020.
The various tourism industry associations under CKTI have submitted many
representations and suggestions to the governments for the mere survival and
existence of the sector through financial aid packages and expect favorable
decisions. These demands are completely justifiable given the situation and
include waiving of taxes for one year and fixed electricity tariffs. The industry
requests this from both state and Central Governments in order to ensure that
the tourism industry survives this crisis.
The CKTI will now act as the united voice of Kerala Tourism Trade.
President : Sri.E.M.Najeeb (IATO Kerala Chapter) Vice Presidents : Sri.Abraham George (Johny) (ADTOI), Sri.N.M.Sharafudeen
(TAAI Kerala Chapter), Sri.Sanjay Sharma (HAI), Sri.Sudheesh Kumar (Kerala Hotel & Restaurants Association), Sri.N.K.Mohammed (Malabar
Tourism Organisation) General Secretary : Sri.M.R.Narayanan (South Kerala Hoteliers Association) Secretaries : Sri.Dileep Pottamkulam
(Munnar Resorts Association), Sri.Jose Pradeep (Kerala Bar Hotels Association), Sri.V.C.Zachariah (Kerala House Boat Owners Association),
Sri.K.Raveendran (Malabar Tourism Organisation), Sri.K.V.Ravisankar (Indian Travel Forum) Treasurer : Sri.Jose Mathew (ADTOI)
T.C 12/762, Law College By Lane, Barton Hill, Vanchiyoor P O, Trivandrum 695035
Phone: +91 471 3084500 Web site: http://ckti.in