Kochi Biennale helps Kerala Tourism to overcome the setback due to demonitisation

KOCHI: Terming the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) a "stellar example" of public private partnership, Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary Dr Venu V said the Biennale had helped the state's tourism sector offset the crisis brought on by demonetisation.

On a visit to the third edition of the Biennale in Fort Kochi on Monday, Dr Venu said the Rs 7.5 crore that the state government had allotted to the international contemporary art extravaganza in its budget was "money well spent".

"When Kerala tourism had a crisis on its hands with the demonetisation policy affecting tourist arrivals, the Biennale has single-handedly created a unique economic zone that supported the tourism sector and brought money into the hands of the common man and local community," he said.

"From a government point of view, I can't think of a better investment. This speaks volumes for what an event like this can do for tourism and for the economy of a city and state. The government support created a base upon which the curator, the KBF and the Trustees could work on," the Tourism Secretary said.

National Institute of Fashion Technology Director-General Sarada Muraleedharan also visited KMB 2016 on Monday and noted that the current edition of the Biennale has touched many thought-provoking subjects.