KOCHI: Tourism is always the first sector to close and the last one to reopen when pandemic and other crises hit. Now, the tourism sector in Kochi and outskirts is starting new projects and exploring fresh locations besides reopening the existing ones.
According to the officials with the district tourism promotion council (DTPC), number of tourists visiting various destinations has increased. “It is during weekends that more people turn up. Tourists, especially domestic travellers, visit various destinations like beaches,” an official with the DTPC said. “After a couple of months, we expect more flow of tourists from north Indian states,” the official said.
The water sports facility at Munambam was reopened on Wednesday. “There is very good response from the tourists. Activities at Munambam include skiing, surfing, banana ride, catamaran ride, kayaking, etc. It is the only beach in the area with such activities. The beach is very spacious with facility for parking,” said another DTPC official.
The DTPC in association with a private partner is all set to start a kayaking facility and eco-friendly cottages at Aluva Manappuram. “We were planning to launch the project by the end of September. But the irrigation department has to carry out some restoration works near Harithavanam park at Manappuram,” said Santos King Tours and Travels director Santhosh Thayyil.
It is in tie-up with Santos King Tours and Travels that the DTPC is planning the project. “We will be using non-motorized boats at Aluva. There will be kayaking and stand up paddle facilities through Periyar. We have a plan to connect various less known destinations like Parunthuranji Manappuram in the vicinity and make it a tourism circuit,” Thayyil said. “Tribespeople from Idukki will be making bamboo rafts for the purpose,” he said.
Moreover, the tourism department is planning to conduct maximum promotional programmes as part of World Tourism Day on September 27. The DTPC with the support of private partners will be organizing a programme to clean up Periyar at Aluva on the day. At least 50 paddlers would take part in the event.
