THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the cruise tourism season has begun, Kerala Tourism is likely to come up with a chopper ride programme similar to the one being offered to tourists onboard international cruise liners at the port of call in destinations like Maldives.Though discussions are at its infancy, the ‘Heli Ride’ offer at the ensuing Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2018) for buyers is expected to introduce the potential of such a service before the Cochin Port authorities. The tourism meet will be held at Willingdon Island in Kochi from September 27 to 30.The tourism department and KTM are already in talks with port officials in this regard, and they would be depending on Kerala-based helicopter operator Chipsan Aviation, which is already meeting the requirements of recentlylaunched service at Jatayu Earth Center at Chadayamangalam in Kollam.At the KTM, ‘heli rides’ will be offered to delegates from Willingdon Island helipad to places like Munnar, Alappuzha, Athirappilly-Valparai, Ernakulam, Kochi beaches and Kochi city. “We have to get approvals from Cochin Port and Navy and the process is on. We have asked the chopper operator to provide the service at a special rate, on which an official communication is yet to take place,” said KTM Society secretary Jose Pradeep.However, a final stand on the approvals and the rates will be known by Monday, he said. “This is not the first time KTM is offering chopper rides. We did this during KTM-2012 from Le Meridian, but there were only few takers. This time, our main aim is to introduce this concept before the port officials for cruise tourism,” he added.The official from the aviation company said choppers will be provided as per requirement. “It will be short rides to nearby destinations, may be around an hour. We are awaiting approvals from authorities concerned,” he said.Last season (September-April), Cochin port hosted around 40 international cruise liners, said Sanjeev Kumar from Lotus DMC, the private company which handles many of the cruise operations in India, Sri Lanka and Maldives. “The central government has invested heavily in cruise tourism, and the focus is on Mumbai, Mangaluru, Kochi, Goa and Chennai ports. Results will be reflected in next two-three years, and the growth will be in multiple folds when compared to other segments of tourism,” he pointed out.Coming to chopper rides for cruise tourists, Kumar said, “Here too chopper ride is a good option before cruise tourists. We could offer this service provided we meet all specifications including the insurance coverage, which the cruise companies are very particular about.”

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