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Sunday 06-Nov-2011

Kerala Tourism ties up with Zapak for online promotional game

The gamer can use various modes of transport to travel through the state - a rented car, tourist bus, rented bike or traditional boat

By  Traveltechie Bureau | Mumbai

Exploring the entire stretch of God’s Own Country on a bike or houseboat or trailing a ‘God’s Own Treasure’ may take only a few minutes now, thanks to a new online game. Kerala Tourism has tied up with a leading gaming company, Zapak, to launch an interactive online game to unfold the state’s tourism destinations to gamers around the world.

The game will have a hand-drawn map of Kerala with a trail and markings for the important tourist attractions in the State. The gamer can use various modes of transport to travel through the state - a rented car, tourist bus, rented bike or traditional boat. Once the gamer reaches a location, there is also a treasure to discover, ‘God’s Own Treasure’. The treasures are hidden in a temple or church, a historic monument, beach or national park. A photography mode allows the gamer to click away in a destination. Good photographs will earn more points.
 
In a release, T K Manoj Kumar IAS, Secretary, Kerala Tourism said, “Kerala Tourism has always tried to innovate and engage the latest tools of marketing to promote its products and destinations. Our gaming initiative is going to be another first in the country in tapping the vibes of the generation next and drawing them to explore new tourist spots. Besides being an exciting game, learning about new places and cultures will be the value addition for them”.

Rani George IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism said, “It is a novel tool by which one can explore Kerala by following the trail through different levels. The environments of the travel typify the various natural, urban and country settings in Kerala. Apart from the excitements as a game, it also adds a real-time element by giving a Google Maps location link and information on how to get to a destination”.