Leaders of the hospitality industry in Kerala have urged the UDF-led government to take into account their views before finalising the liquor policy for 2011-12.

"What we could learn from media is that some of the proposals being considered could prove to be hindrances to the growth of tourism in Kerala," South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Assoication President Vivek Nair told a press meet. Policy changes like maintaining specific distance between bar hotels and move to restrict bar licences for five star hotels could hamper growth of tourism, which is the fastest growing economic sector in the country, including the state.

"Tourism industry has made the single largest investment in Kerala and has generated a large number of jobs. Considering the imporance of tourism, the government should elicit views of the hospitality industry before finalising the policy," Nair, also chairman of World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTCII), said. He said the industry fully appreciated the moral concerns factored in the policy but those objectives could have been achieved without compromising tourism growth.

The state cabinet is expected to consider the proposed liquor policy when it meets on July 27.