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Our Bureau

Kochi , Oct. 5

THE All-Kerala Travel Operators Co-ordination Committee, representing three associations in the tourist transport sector, has called upon Government authorities to initiate effective steps to stop unhealthy competition among travel operators in the State.

Highlighting the problems faced by the tourist transport industry in Kerala, Mr George Scaria, Chairman of the Co-ordination Committee, said the Government has not given due importance to the industry despite its contribution to the tourism sector.

The co-ordination committee is also organising a general convention of all tourist vehicle operators here on Thursday, which will be inaugurated by Prof K.V. Thomas, MLA.

Tourist operators, who play a major role in the mobility of tourists in the State, suffer almost 40 per cent increase in operation expenses due to various factors including intermittent hike in crude prices.

All the affiliated services in the hospitality sector had hiked their tariffs proportionate to the increase in operational costs. However, the authorities were reluctant to make any periodical revisions according to the increase in petroleum prices.

Moreover, the presence of unauthorised vehicles to carry tourists is also affecting the transport sector badly. The need of the hour is to make an immediate end to the crisis faced by the industry considering the ensuing tourist season in the State, he said.

With the objective of forming a common platform, the three organisations of tour operators such as the All- Kerala Contract Carriage Operators' Association, the Travel Operators' Association of Kerala and the City Travel Operators Association have formed the All Kerala Travel Operators Co-ordination Committee to protect the interests of the industry.

Adopting the tariffs published by all these associations, the co-ordination committee decided to strictly enforce these rates with immediate effect. The rates should be considered as the common approved rates for tour operations in Kerala. The committee also decided to form special squads to conduct inspections on unauthorised taxis operating illegally in airports and railway stations in Kochi city.

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