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| K.C.Chandrahasan, Kerala Travels, Thiruvananthapuram |
Like many pathbreaking efforts, tourism company Kerala Travels started its existence in a small room in Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram in 1959. Today it is a partner of the 4th largest travel consolidate in the world, Synergy of US.
After K.C.Chandrahasan became the Managing Director in 1976, the company started utilizing the possibilities of IT from its early days. In 1997, it formed the network of travel agents in India and became Kerala Travels Interserv. And in 1999, it became a public limited company. The Interserv network then expanded to include similar representations in 40 countries.
But it is not such parameters of business growth that moves Chandrahasan. The customer should be satisfied using knowledge-enhanced service and the society too should be benefited. With this motto, Kerala Travels formulated the Tekkady Tiger Trail, a package that employed reformed poachers as guides. This won international recognition.
Similarly, their World of Wings package won an innovation award at Travelmart 2000. The 12-day package, dedicated to Salim Ali, covered the bird sanctuaries between Kundamkulam in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala.
At present he is engaged in the lullaby@varkala project wherein 140 anganwadis of the area are proposed to be upgraded in terms of infrastructure and other facilities for children like milk, vegetables, uniforms etc. The project, which is being implemented with the support of Government agencies, is an extension of his belief that children’s health is an asset for tourism.
His wife Jaya is a director of the company. Daughter Geethika, who is a journalist, is a management trainee and in the forefront of the lullaby project.
“You made our Kerala visit memorable. This is truly God’s own land,” wrote Paul McCartney of Beetles once. Winner of the national award for tourism, 2000, Kerala Travels has won much other national and international recognition.
Courtesy:
S.N.Jayaprakash, Mathrubhumi, March 20, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
