Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said that the successful completion of the fifth edition of MTB Kerala, an international mountain biking event, shows to the world that the tourism sector of the State is back on track after the challenges caused by recent natural calamities in the State.

Speaking after inaugurating the valedictory function of MTB Kerala at the Priyadarshini Tea Environs at Panharakkolly, near Mananthavady, on Saturday, Mr. Surendran said the State had immense potential in adventure and ecotourism sectors as the terrain itself provided various opportunities for developing land, aero, and water-based tourism activities.

But, the crises related to unexpected calamities such as the outbreak of the Nipah virus, Cyclone Ockhi and the recent deluge had adversely affected the prospect of the tourism sector, he said. However the State was able to overcome all the crises up to a certain extent and it was proving to the world that tourism destinations in the State were now safe to explore, he added.

The government was planning to develop as many as 50 new sites in the State as adventure tourism destinations, but many a time red tapism and rigid forest acts hindered the prospects of the destinations, the Minister said.

Wayanad district had immense tourism potential and all steps would be adopted to tap its potential, said Mr. Surendran. Ports Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran presented prizes to the winners on the occasion.

The two-day event was organised by Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), an initiative of the State Tourism Department, in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Wayanad.