From correspondents in Kerala, India, 01:32 PM IST

Kerala, which for the first time is participating at the International French Tourism Mart (IFTM) Top Resa in Paris that concludes Friday, has received 47 industry-related queries, the government said.

'They include Fram, Escape Mandarin and La Route de Indes,' said Kerala Tourism in statement issued here Friday, referring to three French tour operators interested in tapping the state's tourism sector.

The delegation 'also met several journalists from the trade and general media including Easy Voyage, La Voix Du Nord and Routard', the statement added.

France accounts for the second largest inflow of foreign tourists to Kerala, with 52,239 French nationals visiting the state in 2008 -- a nine percent growth over arrivals in the previous year.

Prior to Paris, the 12-member Kerala delegation led by Tourism Secretary V. Venu went on a road show in Brussels, where they met 109 possible business partners.

It was the first time Kerala Tourism had conducted a road show in Belgium.

After Paris, the delegation will head to Rome for a road show Sep 28. Italians comprise the sixth largest group of foreign tourists from any country to the Indian state.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)