The Forest Department has increased the rate for tourism services in Thekkady with effect from Wednesday. The boating charge in the Forest Department boats has been raised from Rs.150 to Rs.225 and the entrance fee from Rs.25 to Rs.33.
The entrance fee for foreigners has gone up from Rs.300 to Rs.450. Charges in the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) boats are also expected to be raised to the same level in a day or two.
Parity with other placesKerala Vyapari Vyvasai Ekopana Samithy Kumily unit president Shibu M. Thomas said the new rates were on a par with those charged in other prominent tourism centres in the country and hence, the move was unlikely to majorly impact the tourism industry. He said the increase in the entrance fee was nominal.
In the Udhagamandalam lake, the charge for a pedal boat was Rs.400 and the rate at Thekkady, even after the increase, was much less. The rate at Thekkady had not been changed for long, he said.
However, tourism stakeholders said the rate change would affect domestic tourism, a major revenue-earner in Thekkady.
‘Too wide a disparity’An official of a travel agency said the disparity in the entrance fee for foreign and domestic tourists was too high.
The high fee for foreign tourists could not be justified. “Why should there be a distinction between foreigners and Indians when the same service is provided to both,” he asked.
The change was being effected at a time when the tourism industry was in crisis. The price of cash crops had fallen, forcing Kumily town to depend almost entirely on tourism.
The rate change could serve as a deterrent for tourists and could affect the industry.
“The hike in the boating fee is too steep. The public will not accept it when there is a general crisis in the tourism industry,” he said.
