Kochi: Tired of visiting Fort Kochi beach or Kovalam, again and again?
Try the three-layered Pinavoorkudi cave in Ernakulam, or the remote Kakkathuruthu island in Alappuzha, or the Velliyamkallu rock located in the sea off Kolabi beach in Kozhikode.
Ernakulam district collector P. I. Sheik Pareeth will unveil “unchartered tourist destinations in the state” on Thursday when he inaugurates ‘Guide Us 2014' organised by the Travel Tourism students of Guiders Academy, on the occasion of National Tourism Day.
"Our students explored unchartered yet potential tour destinations during a month-long effort, inspired by the Kerala government's Vision 2025. All these spots have great potential for sustainable and responsible tourism. We will submit our students' findings to the Tourism department," said Ninan John, director (operations), Guiders Academy, an IATA authorised training centre.
The potential tourist spots identified are Pinavoorkudi Cave and Paniyeli Poru on the outskirts of Ernakulam, ideal for trekking and rafting; Kakkathuruthu, an island without tarred roads just 17 km from Kochi city; Kudukkuthipara, an eco-tourism spot in Kollam district; the elephant-shaped Kattattipara on the Konni-Achankovil route, and the Velliyamkallu 'Sacrifice Rock', half an hour's boat ride from the Kolabi beach in Kozhikode.
"Velliyamkallu is a rock in the middle of the sea from where Kunhali Marakkar and his men valiantly fought the Dutch.
The boat ride will attract tourists and the historical importance is an added advantage," said Muhammed Salman Sallu, a student.
