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"Silicon Valley Warms Up to 'God's Own Country"
Jan 16, 2016

Kerala is much loved across the world for its beautiful locales, centuries-old artistic creativity, vibrant cultural experience captured the imagination of corporate leaders attending a 'Kerala Evening' on Thursday night in Palo Alto. 

Silicon Valley, which is home to the world's top technology companies, reveled in the cultural festivities as corporate leaders and executives were held spellbound by the pristine beauty of the backwaters and beaches of 'God's Own Country'. 

Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performers enthralled a packed venue of the event organized by Kerala Tourism in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) and US-India Business Council  on January 14, 2016 in Palo Alto. 

"It is a significant day in the history of our state's tourism sector," as stated by Kerala Tourism Minister Shri A P Anilkumar.  "The United States is a key market for Kerala Tourism. In-bound tourism from America to Kerala has grown about 40 per cent in the past two years. Our first-ever corporate meet in the Silicon Valley is a crucial step to further increase those numbers," he added. 

The executives of over 50 companies in Silicon Valley attended the corporate meet addressed by Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao. 

Tourist arrivals from the United States have registered a 39.24 per cent growth during 2012-14. In 2014, the number of American tourists who visited Kerala was 76,616 compared to 55,741 in 2011. 

Kerala Tourism event was intended to introduce Kerala as a destination to the companies in the Silicon Valley and also to portray the state as an investor-friendly destination. Apart from the destination promotion, the Principal Secretary also presented on behalf of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) the various investment opportunities available in the state. 

Among those who addressed the gathering were Shri Venkatesan Ashok, India's Consular General in San Francisco, and City Council member Ms Catherine Carlton, who spoke on the 'Kerala Experience' as well as Ms Sumani Dash, Director & Head-US & Canada, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). 

Shri Rao, who made a presentation on Kerala as a top tourism destination in the world and  invited the technology community in California to come visit the state as well as invest in Kerala's progress.

"Kerala is growing as a destination for corporate leaders and executives around the world because of its beautiful as well as peaceful locations to talk and do business. There is no better place than Kerala for the Silicon Valley executives to come and relax and even work," Shri Rao said.

"With a large concentration of highly qualified software professionals and entrepreneurs, Kerala is an ideal destination for investment by the Silicon Valley companies," he added. 

The Kerala Evening was also marked by the screening of Kerala Tourism's global marketing campaign films portraying the village life experiences in the state. 

New Delhi
January 16, 2016

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