Kochi factors Rs 30-cr gear for Volvo Ocean Race Cindrella deal

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Thiruvananthapuram, April 2 : Kochi port and Kerala Tourism are cobbling up Rs 30 crore for savvying Kochi's infrastructure as the only South Asian port of call in the 11-port Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 pact. Competing with port behemoths like Dubai, the mid-size port had squeezed into the international race route, notching up a Cindrella deal of 10 million euro-worth license fee waiver from organisers, in the bargain.

"The infrastructure spend will be garnered from corporate sponsors, Indian and possibly other South Asian business magnates," said N Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust (CPT). A racing village - in the Volvo Ocean race tradition - is coming up in Kochi. "If this is not enough, a houseboat village can be fanned out in a marina design," he added.

The once-in-three years international yachting event starts on October this year from Alicante in Spain and ends next year in Russia. Seven to nine yachts, including that of the sponsoring Erickson, Puma and a'Lenta (a US retail group), are scheduled to harbour the Indian port in December. Business captains worldwide are expected to host cheerleader sessions to their sponsored teams in the 10-days stay of the teams in Kochi.

Although Kerala Tourism figures as the only Indian destination in Superbrands.com, its infrastructure supplyside is not a strong point, especially in terms of room availability. "Kochi barely makes the grade," admits V Venu, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, " About 5000 rooms are needed. There are 1200-1500 rooms in premium segment, others are in mid-segment. And this is where the concept of houseboat village comes in."