Monsoons disappoint Kerala tourism

Tourism sector in Kerala is gearing up for a new season after a rather disappointing monsoon season.

Industry sources said that the industry expects an overall growth to the tune of 20 per cent against 17 per cent during 2004-05. In line with the optimism expressed by the captains of the industry, bookings have already commenced for the season beginning by October.

The state government has seriously considered tourism as one of the promising areas of development and recent visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam has added vigour to it. In his speech in the assembly, he emphasised on some core areas for Kerala's economic development and had given prime importance to tourism.

The government had taken his suggestions seriously and decided to have an overall development plan for tourism sector which includes development of infrastructure without affecting the ecology.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy said that the government would constitute a working group and will have detailed discussion with the industry. E M Najeeb, chairman, Indian Association of Tour operators, Kerala Chapter, said that the industry had submitted few important suggestions to the government which were serious lacunae at the tourist centres.

He said that garbage disposal facilities,drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, drainage systems and better health care facilities are the areas where the government should pay immediate attention. He said that though Kerala as a tourism destination is well marketed in and abroad lack of basic amenities is the major concern.

"So far the response for the new season is very good and we expect a good season this year," said T Damu, member National Tourism Advisory Council and Vice president, Taj group Hotels.

He said that the central government should announce open sky policy so that inflow of tourists would increase. Direct air travel to Kerala is a major problem for foreign tourists at present.

Torrential rains and landslides have damaged roads to major tourist centres. He urged the government to repair the roads on war footing otherwise it will be major handicap to the tourism industry.

According to estimates of the industry Kerala had earned income to the tune of Rs 6,800 crore during last year of which Rs 1,266 crore in foreign exchange 5.9 million domestic tourists and 3.4 lakh foreign tourists had visited Kerala last year and this year too industry expect a comfortable increase, though it is too early for a projection.

The president had suggested to double domestic tourists and triple foreign tourists as a development strategy within a period of five years. He said that Kerala is having good potential in pilgrimage tourism and health tourism which is the latest diversification in Kerala.

Najeeb said that monsoon could be marketed cleverly as a season for ayurveda treatment and honeymoon. But the budget allocation to this core sector is very meagre and last year it was to the tune of Rs 125 crore including central assistance.

He also said that the dearth of qualified professionals is also a major hurdle to the industry and suggested professional institutes of International acclaim should be set up.

In view of a good season ahead Kerala tourism industry is now getting ready for the third Malabar travel mart which fall in first week of September as mark of the beginning of a prosperous season.