Kerala tourism recovers from chikungunya scare

The tourism industry in Kerala is returning to normalcy after suffering a setback due to chikungunya scare.

Kerala tourism players were in fact stunned when the Malaysian government issued an advisory to its nationals visiting Kerala cautioning them about chikungunya.

In the advisory, Malaysia made it clear that though no known treatment existed for the disease, it was not fatal. It had, however, added that the disease did cause deaths in India. Consequently, tourist arrivals slumped during the past weeks.

"We agree there had been cancellations and postponements due to the scare. But things have changed for the better," E M Najeeb, a leading tour operator, told Business Standard.

"The state and central governments have acted well in time to check further damage. The government representatives have informed Malaysia and other nations from where tourists head for Kerala that all is well here. This has helped the industry regain its ground," Najeeb added.

State Minster for tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan echoes the confidence of the industry.

"We, at the government level, have succeeded in instilling a sense of confidence in overseas governments by assuring them that chikungunya scare has disappeared. The health scene in the state is now normal and tourists can now have a safe stay in the state,"the minister clarified.

However, sources at the state tourism department are still a worried lot. "A look at the ground situation would prove that not all is rosy on the health front. The backwaters around Alappuzha and Cherthala are still far from being disease-free. It will take some time before the industry regains its health," a source said.

The tourist season is beginning and the first few weeks may be disappointing for the industry though the Malaysian government advisory may not have a major impact as the country is not a major contributor to Kerala tourism growth.

However, the number of cancellations and postponements which tour operators term as "too many", is sure to have a bearing on the real situation. One factor the department can consider as a consolation is that the 'Monsoon Tourism' launched this year in the state, proved to be a success.

If the Rs 8,000-crore industry in the state is to lure tourists this season, the state government has a task at hand. It has to convince the world that the state would spare no effort in fighting disease-causing mosquitoes.