: Economic crisis in Europe, the raging controversy over bovine slaughter in the country, and curbs on liquor use in Kerala will play spoilsport to the tourism industry during the four-month peak season commencing November.
Panic has gripped stakeholders of the industry as projections based on reservations and trend during the off-season show a 20 per cent dip in tourist arrivals during November 2015-February 2016 period compared to the previous year.
The stakeholders are worried as Europe is one of the source market for Kerala Tourism. Chartered flights from the U. K., Russia and other countries will not touch down this season also.
“The off-season was dull and many survived only due to the inflow from Middle East. The Visit Kerala Year campaign and e-visa facility has not helped. A 20 per cent drop is anticipated,” said a leading tour operator. The liquor policy had caused irreparable damage, especially in the MICE segment. The stir by women tea estate workers for higher wages had also affected tourist arrivals in the hill resort of Munnar.
“Controversial issues will be reflected in the arrivals. The tourists will skip such places as they look forward to a peaceful sojourn,” said president, Confederation of Tourism Industry, Kerala, E.M. Najeeb. Things are not rosy even for the State-owned KTDC that is maintaining occupancy level as in the last year. They expect dip in the properties at Kovalam and Kumarakom in the four-month peak season.
However, a senior marketing official of a five-star property in Kochi, said there is no need for panic as the chances of reservations pouring in are on the higher side as the booking window had been reduced to 15 to 30 days with the advent of technology.
Kerala Tourism’s road show to increase the arrivals is also receiving lukewarm response.
ATTOI president P. K. Anish Kumar said the emerging markets of China, Japan, Singapore and Malalysia are looking positive for the State. “Kerala should re-work its marketing strategy and rope in more domestic airlines to fly down,” he adds. Mr. Najeeb has mooted extension of the Visit Kerala Year by one year and revamp of marketing strategy to overcome the shortfall. Kerala received 1,16,95,411 domestic and 9,23,366 foreign tourists in 2014.
