ROYAL TRAVELS NEWS.

KOLKATA: Kerala came calling on City of Joy with the dazzling sights and sounds of Gods own country. With 12.11% growth in the tourism sector and revenue generation of Rs 24885.44 crore in 2014, Kerala has declared April 2015 to March 2016 as Visit Kerala Year. And with 39000 visitors from Bengal last year, a marginal rise from 36000 in 2013, the Kerala is eying a larger footfall from the state. 

"I don't have to tell Bengalis, who are great foodies, about Kerala cuisine. Bengal is a major source of tourists for us, always in the top 10 as our source states. Every year the number of visitors keeps rising," said Anupama TV, additional director general, Kerala Tourism. 

"Kerala knows a lot about Bengal, more so because of our similar food habits and the long history of freedom struggle here. But the geography of Bengal should be marketed more actively. Darjeeling, Kolkata and Sunderbans are so different in nature. This diversity should be showcased in Kerala and elsewhere," she advised.