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

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.

You might also like

Destinations

Tourism Minister orders attachment of Director SKICC

The Minister issued the orders in connection with the allegations against the officer(s) for violation of rules and norms amounting to abuse of official position, breach of trust, thereby inflicting

Top Stories

LINKIN REPS to represent LILY HOTELS in Indian Market

LINKIN Reps has been appointed the India Sales, Marketing & Public Relations representation office for the Lily Hotels, Maldives. LINKIN REPS will be responsible for driving holistic sales, trade marketing

Latest

India may allow women Haj pilgrims over 45 years to travel without male guardian

Nearly half of an estimated 170,000 pilgrims who went for the annual religious celebration in Saudi Arabia from India this year were women, said the officials. Women over the age