Kochi becomes India’s first city to be member of Beijing-based WTCF

Kochi has become becoming the first Indian city to be granted membership of Beijing-headquartered World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Council.

Kerala’s Tourism Department has accepted the invitation to join its league of leading tourism cities across the world.

Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany handed over the membership acceptance document to Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng at a function held at Kochi yesterday in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, Kerala Tourism Secretary G Kamala Vardhana Rao and Tourism Director P I Sheik Pareeth.

State Principal Secretary for IT and Industries P H Kurian and former Secretary T Balakrishnan also attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Yucheng said the two regions need to explore the possibilities for partnerships in culture, sports and tourism as there are many striking similarities between the cultures of China and Kerala, especially the cuisine, martial arts and snake and dragon boat races.

The Chinese ambassador also expressed interest in bringing investments from his country to Kerala’s tourism sector, particularly for construction of an entertainment city and an oceanarium. He also urged the government to convene a meeting of tour operators of both the countries while agreeing to support Kerala’s efforts to increase inflow of Chinese tourists to the state. He also responded positively to Kerala’s request to facilitate chartered flights from China to Kerala.