In the wake of the arrest of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on espionage charges, a Right to Information (RTI) query has shed light on the Kerala government’s initiative to promote tourism. The influencer was among 41 individuals who were guests of the Kerala government during their visit to the state as part of an outreach program aimed at positioning Kerala as a global tourist destination.
According to the RTI, the state government paid for travel, accommodation, and food expenses of these influencers. A private agency was hired to facilitate the shooting of promotional videos during their stay in Kerala.
This revelation comes amidst the ongoing political tension between the ruling BJP and the Congress party in the state. The opposition Congress party has raised concerns over the choice of influencers, pointing towards the alleged close ties between some of them and the ruling BJP.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Department has defended the move, stating that it was a strategic decision aimed at increasing tourist footfall in the state. They emphasized that the initiative has been successful in attracting visitors to Kerala, boosting its tourism industry.
The issue is expected to gain traction in the coming days as more details emerge about the influencers who participated in the campaign and their political affiliations. The debate over the use of influencers for state promotion and the potential politicization of such initiatives promises to be a hot topic in Kerala’s political discourse.
