Captivating Kairali Heritage Resort

U K Nambiar

U K Nambiar, managing director of Kairali Heritage Resort, speaks about his new venture.

What was the idea behind the launch of Kairali Heritage Resort and why was Kannur selected for this project?

Kairali Heritage, a riverside resort, was launched to showcase to the world that the northern part of Kerala - Malabar- has its own charm and beauty and God's Own Country is not made up of southern Kerala alone. The sights and sounds of nature in north Kerala are as captivating as the south. For the tourists who love tranquility and exclusivity, the undiscovered northern Kerala will be a more delightful experience than the crowded southern part. Kannur was selected for this project because I belong to Kannur, to be precise Koodali of Kannur. This emotional and sentimental attachment to Kannur, the picturesque location of Kairali Heritage on the banks of Kattampally river, and my zeal to make a small contribution to the people of Kannur to make their life better and to make them aware that this side of Malabar is very much a salient part of the God's own Country - all these made me select Kannur.

How do you market this resort?

The resort is now marketed through time-share arrangements with a reputed organisation like RCI and through the marketing efforts of our own team in association with national and international travel agencies.

What are your views on the recently concluded Malabar Tourism and Travel Mart?

The Malabar Tourism & Travel Mart is essentially designed to bring Malabar into the world tourist map. A concerted effort on the part of all hotels and resorts is called for to ensure the success of the Mart. Unfortunately, selling Malabar to the world tourists has not gained any momentum due to the lack of infrastructure (good roads), dissemination of tourist information, etc. The government have to come up with a timebound plan to ensure that lack of aforesaid infrastructural facilities does not drive away the growing tourist population from Malabar. MTTM is only a beginning and it must take off with a promise for intensive work in future.

How was the last season for Kairali Heritage Resort?

Kairali Heritage began its operations in Oct 2004. It is still in its infancy stage. We have not crossed a full year period. The revenue is yet to pick up, but the resort has been able to deliver the message to the people around and the tourists of the promise that this part of Malabar holds for tourism. For tourists hereafter the Gods' Own Country does not begin and end at Kochi. It now has a beautiful northern end known as Kairali Heritage.

What are your views on Kannur as a tourist destination and what necessary steps need to be taken for increasing the flow of tourist to Kannur?

Kannur has many tourist attractions. The Muzhapilangad drive-in beach, Parassinikadavu Mattapan temple, Snake park, Vaithalmala for trekking, the nimble weaving fingers with handlooms, all these are tourists' delight. An airport at Kannur will surely boost up the flow of tourists.

Any future expansion or diversification plans?

Of course, Kairali Heritage, have concrete plans for future expansion. It will include setting up a business class hotel, additional Executive Suites, elevating the status of Kairali Heritage to a five star, an extravagant shopping mall and a college for Hotel Management studies. All these, I am sure will transform Kannur into a dreamland that I carry deep in my heart's core like the solitary reaper of William Wordsworth.