During the inaugural investor meeting organised by Kerala’s Tourism Department on 16 November 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 250 crores was signed with Bengaluru-based Tamara Leisure Experiences. This includes a luxury resort in Alleppey and an affordable transit hotel in Kannur. 

These projects are in line with the responsible hospitality group’s holistic approach to sustainability. The company claimed that they will be comprehensively eco-conscious and credited as being green initiatives. 

The MoU was exchanged between Shruti Shibulal, CEO and director of Tamara Leisure Experiences and S Premkrishnan, Additional Director of Tourism for the state. 

Speaking about the MoU, Shibulal said, “Tamara Leisure Experiences’ projects integrate end-to-end principles of green tourism, including a focus on local recruitment and the use of biodegradable, vernacular material to support native economies, a closed-loop waste management system to preserve local resources as well as a plan to repurpose surplus construction materials that will reduce negative ecological impact. We look forward to designing a travel experience that invites travellers from around the world to experience Kerala’s natural and cultural heritage while upholding the state’s most heartfelt focus on preserving landscapes, resources and traditions for future generations.” 

The Tourism Investor Summit garnered an investment of over Rs 15,116.65 crores with Rs 12,605.55 crores pooled from the private sector and Rs 2,511.10 crores from the government sector via private participation. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, where he emphasised Kerala's potential to become the foremost tourism investment hub in the country. 

The Summit saw the participation of around 500 investors and entrepreneurs, including 46 start-ups and 118 entrepreneurs from the responsible tourism sector. 112 projects were introduced consisting of 73 from the private sector, 23 from the government sector, and 16 proposed as private partnership ventures.

Some of the guests at the event included Minister PA Mohammad Riaz, Tourism Secretary K Biju and S.K. Sajeesh, chairman of Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited.