Besides the traditional stronghold of tourism in Kerala which include Fort Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Kovalam, Kumarakom and Wayanad which beckons overseas travels throughout the year, the 5th edition of Grand Kerala shopping festival (GKSF), scheduled to be held from1st December, 2011 to 15th January, 2012 in Kochi, is aimed to catch the eye of potential international buyers and promote tourism in Kerala.
The 46-day annual Kerala shopping festival is also aimed to attract the traffic coming from Gulf and South East Asian countries and promote Kerala as a shopping and travel destination by reaching out to millions of visitors from this region through Grand Kerala Shopping Festival.
More than 7,000 retail outlets are participating in the GKSF event to sell out items like jewelry, textiles, electronics, automobiles and furnishing. The festival will also showcase handicrafts, hand-woven and Khadi products made in Kerala.
To woo the buyers from outside the state 100% VAT refund on purchase through credit cards will be provided. The concept of e-coupon gateway has been introduced for Non Residential Indians (NRI’s) and Non Residential Kerala (NRK’s). Introduction of night shopping for 10 days that will take place from December 20, 2011 to Jan 1, 2012 is another highlight of this year’s GKSF.
To add to the shopping bonanza, assured gifts from anywhere near Rs.100 to Rs.10, 000 and a grand prize of 101 kg of gold is also in the offering through scratch cards and gift vouchers.
Planning for tours to Kerala at this time of year would definitely look incomplete without the plans to include this grand fiesta in the offing in Kochi. Besides, tourists could easily retreat to some of the most mesmerizing destination nearby which include Fort Kochi, Alappuzza, Kumarakom and the ultimate beach and Ayurveda destination Kovalam.
