A post-pandemic boost to Kerala tourism
The Hindu
Luxury cruise liner from Mumbai calls at Kochi port with 1,200 travellers
The newly built cruise terminal at the Kochi port received the first batch of tourists on Wednesday as luxury cruise liner MV Empress from Mumbai called at the port, marking a start to the revival of post-pandemic domestic tourism in Kerala.
The Lakshadweep-bound luxury cruise liner, carrying 1,200 travellers, had a stopover here with 300 travellers deboarding the ship for a day-long onshore sightseeing. Kerala Tourism accorded a warm welcome to the guests with martial dancers and women in traditional off-white dress greeting them.
The snow-white vessel, owned by Cordelia Cruises, became the first luxury cruise liner to anchor at the state-of-the-art terminal of the Kochi port after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world.
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The Karnataka government has drafted a comprehensive master plan for the integrated development of Kukke Subrahmanya temple, the State’s highest revenue-generating temple managed by the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department. The redevelopment initiative is estimated to cost around ₹254 crore and aims to enhance infrastructure and facilities for devotees.