Travel advisories trouble tourism sector

The tourism industry in the State is worried that travel advisories issued by several countries proclaiming India as an ‘unsafe travel destination’ will affect tourist footfall. This, despite many hotels and resorts in the State reporting full reservation for the peak Christmas-New Year festival season.

The travel advisories, owing to the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), had been issued by the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Australia, Israel, and Taiwan among others.

Key markets

Many of these countries are key markets for Kerala Tourism, with the United Kingdom topping the list in foreign tourist arrivals to the State. The only solace for the industry is that Kerala does not figure on the list of the States foreigners have been asked to avoid due to mounting tension and violence.

“There have been no cancellations in the last two weeks despite the advisories. We have been able to convince our guests that Kerala is a safe destination. But, one cannot predict what will happen after January 1 when we are expecting a surge in the footfall. There is concern over the poor response from Gujarat,” says Abraham George, Member, National Tourism Advisory Council and CMD of the Kochi-based Intersight Tours and Travels.

Anish Kumar P.K., former president, Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI), said a 25% to 30% increase in footfall had been witnessed this year compared to 2018. “Rooms are not available in Kumarakom and the travel advisories have not made any impact on foreign tourist footfall. However, the domestic tourist inflow is not at the expected level this season,” he says. Lack of seats on flights and high airfare too have affected the inflow, adds Mr. Anish Kumar.

Occupancy

Good occupancy in the prime properties of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) across the State has cheered up the reservation desks. Demand for rooms is heavy during the Christmas-New Year and rooms are already booked at Tea County, Munnar, and Samudra in Kovalam, according to the KTDC sources.