KOZHIKODE: For the tourists coming to Kozhikode, one of the historical cities in Kerala known as the city of spices, the city will offer a rare opportunity to see every nook and cranny through a specially designed auto rickshaw meant for sightseeing. The District Tourism Promotion Council with the support of Kerala tourism has come forward with the unique idea of a tour package by auto rickshaws.
In the first phase 10 specially designed rickshaws, which will have all modern amenities, will be introduced. Well-trained drivers will take tourists, both domestic and international, around the city. Kozhikode town beach, Tali temple, Beypore Beach and Gujarati street, Velliyangadi and SM Street will be among some of the places where tourists will be taken.
Speaking about the initiative, a DTPC official said, “The project will be implemented in the city in collaboration with a private agency. As per the plan, we will offer a customized sightseeing package. The rickshaws will be the most economical and reliable tourist vehicles in the city. Due to the tiny size of the vehicle, we can take you through narrow roads to a tourist spot,” he said.
The auto drivers will be provided orientation training on behavioural and language aspects so as to ensure a friendly service. They will be provided booklets carrying tourism-related information and city maps. A booklet containing the names and telephone numbers of the auto drivers will be provided to visiting tourists. The autos will have facilities like GPRS, CCTV surveillance cameras for the security of the tourists and touch screen information guides, DTPC officials said.
