THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stakeholders in the tourism industry are finally getting their act together to promote Kovalam as a preferred wedding and honeymooner’s destination.
Initiatives in this regard are being carried out by Kerala Tourism in association with the the Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India (ATTOI), tour operators and hoteliers. On Wednesday, Dr Lakshmi Ravindran, an Indian origin doctor in the US, and Michael Wenzel, a German national, got hitched in unique style at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel and Spa, Kovalam. Entertainment programmes, a photo booth, Kerala theme tea and snacks corner and other activities were also arranged on the sidelines.
A fleet of 50-specially designed autorickshaws or ‘tuk tuk’ as they are popularly known, were waiting to ferry the guests. The autorickshaws were decorated with traditional flowers garlands, colorful flags and a caricature of both the bride and the groom. The wedding procession of autorickshaws was flagged off by Tourism Director U V Jose. The procession started from Uday Samudra, Kovalam and headed to Chakka junction, Pettah, Pattom, General Hospital Junction, Museum, Kowdiar. and then to the ‘mehndi’ function venue at the Golf Course. The entire event was available on Facebook Live enabling scores of viewers to watch it worldwide.
Tapping the potential of FB live
This is not the first time that such a grand wedding was held in Kovalam and popularised through Facebook Live. Recently, the wedding of US-based couple Paul and Alision in Kovalam near here grabbed headlines.
After the wedding ceremony which was held underwater off Kovalam, the couple were treated to a candlelight dinner amid grand celebrations at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel and Spa. The live streamed event was watched by around 25 lakh viewers worldwide on Facebook.