France, April 11 -- India's Kerala state has flagged off its first caravan park and promised more as the latest attraction for Europeans who flock there but only to lounge in houseboats on the backwaters of the seaside region that prides itself as "God's Own Country."

Hoteliers eagerly enlisted with the state-run project which promises to bank-roll businesses planning to put out brand new luxury campers rarely seen on India's bumpy roads.

Nearly 300 campers and 85 parks have logged in since the February launch of the project in Kerala as the authorities offered holiday packages and "caravan safaris" as sweeteners.

Local hotelier Prasad Manjali billed it as a blue-chip venture and said it would bring India's first European-standard cara...