Following the implementation of Phase I of Vazhiyoram, Phase II of the project has been launched. The Department of Tourism has chalked out a plan that envisages the creation of 250 Vazhiyoram Centres beside highways, waterways and major roads connecting important tourist destinations. Spread out evenly across the State, these outlets will ensure that travellers get a quality break offering the perfect mix of restaurants, mini shopping centres, rest rooms, paid toilets and so on. Careful planning will see to it that these outlets are spaced out in such a way that one centre is a minimum of 10 to 20 kms away from the other. Investors will also enjoy the added advantage of a standardized design and uniform branding. In addition, Kerala Tourism will actively promote the Vazhiyoram centres in domestic and international markets through trade fairs and roadshows.
Project requirements
If you have ten to twenty cents of land along any of the major roads in Kerala, you can become a part of the Vazhiyoram project. Petrol Bunks and existing restaurants too can partake in this project, provided they adhere to Government specifications. Prospective entrepreneurs will be selected based on the availability of land, entrepreneurial background, professional qualification as well as experience in the hospitality industry, if any and the capacity for investments. A government appointed committee will carefully scrutinize the application before sanctioning the project.
Types of units & facilities
Based on the facilities provided, Vazhiyoram centres will be divided into three levels and rated as Class I, Class II and Class III categories.
Class 1:
- Land required - 20 cents
- Restaurant of minimum 30 pax and a total area of 600 sq.ft
- Souvenir shop
- Public telephone/internet
- 4 paid toilets & 2 bathrooms
- Urinals for gents
- Parking space for at least 8 cars
- Total investment - Rs. 25 lakhs
Class 2:
- Land required - 20 cents
- Restaurant of minimum 30 pax and a total area of 600 sq.ft
- Souvenir shop
- 2 paid toilets
- Parking space for at least 4 cars
- Total investment - Rs. 17.5 lakhs
Class 3:
- Land required - 10 cents
- Coffee shop of minimum 300 sq.ft
- Souvenir shop
- 2 paid toilets
- Parking space for at least 2 cars
- Total investment - Rs. 12.5 lakhs
Investor Support Cell
Functioning under the Department of Tourism, a core group of professionals who will streamline management functions and formulate strategies for enhancing performance will form the Investor Support Cell. The first year after implementation of the project, entrepreneurs will be provided with marketing guidance as well as overall support by the ISC. Besides, the ISC will also assist investors in the sourcing of products and development of tourism-related market linkages. Department of Tourism will give training to the staff through institutions like Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) and Food Crafts Institute (FCI).
Maintenance and license
Appointment of employees will be entirely at the discretion of the entrepreneur. Periodic spot checks by the department officials will ensure quality of service and facilities offered by each of the Vazhiyoram centre. And if any serious discrepancies are found, the license to function as 'Approved Vazhiyoram Unit' will be cancelled immediately and any financial assistance provided to the unit will be withdrawn.
Application procedure
Your application should be submitted in the prescribed format available at the Directorate of Tourism, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of Rs. 500/- in the form of a Demand Draft favouring the Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
Incentives & Supports
- 25% of construction cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs for approved projects
- Additional incentive of Rs. 2 lakhs for adopting pollution control facilities, rain water harvesting, captive power generation and purchase of waste management equipments
- Easy access to low interest loans. Finance institutions sanctioning the loans will remit the incentives as fixed deposits in the name of the entrepreneur for a period of two years
- Guidance and publicity support from the State Government
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