Pune, July 18: India is looking South. And the fascination is Kerala. An emerging top tourist destination, in India and abroad, the marvel of the coastal state continues thanks to the aggressive and sustained marketing and brand-building by the Department of Tourism Kerala (DTK). The DTK was in Pune at the Hotel Pride on their yearly tour of promoting latest tourist packages.

That the state can truly live up to that tag was displayed in the comprehensive presentation made on the occasion by Alkesh Sharma, Director, DTK. With natural bounties spanning green carpeted hillstations to sun-kissed beaches, delightful cuisine, remarkable cultural heritage and its newest USP ayurveda resorts, there’s little to resist Kerala for. Now is a good time to head here when rain-drenched Kerala comes into its element. On offer are packages: Mystic of Malabar -2003 A Travel Mart (Malabar, North Kerala being the special destination this year) Aug 14-16, India International Boat Show Sept 26-28, Kerala Gold Festival October 10- November 9 and Onam Festival September 5-10.