Tourists have started arriving in Thekkady after the boat tragedy last month, which hit the industry badly with the cancellation of boat services for an indefinite period.
Records available at the entrance checking point of the Periyar Tiger Resrve (PTR) says that, 11,225 internal tourists visited Thekkady on Saturday, including 103 children. The foreign tourists' arrival was 47. The trend was continuing, though at a low pace on Sunday also, says an official manning the checking point.
Saturday being a holiday on account of Deepavali, arrival of the some internal tourists was expected. However, it was very low when compared to the Deepavali day last year, he said.
An official at the Tourism Information Centre of the PTR said that there was a sign of picking up the inflow of tourists to Thekkady, though there was still an impact of the boat tragedy in the tourism sector. ``As compared to the beginning time of the tourist season last year, it is a very low turnout,'' the official said. About 30 persons including 12 foreigners undertook trekking in the forest, which is a major tourism programme after the boat travelling.
The main eco-tourism projects in Thekkady include bamboo rafting, tiger trail, forest trekking, nature walk, green walk border sighting and bullock cart ride. Except bamboo rafting and tiger trail, all other programmes are now available for the tourists.
The initial response of the tourists to the tragedy was severe with a considerable drop in the foreign tourist’s arrival. It is mainly the foreign tourists who stay at Kumily or Thekkady and spend two to three days before leaving for other destinations. However, the internal tourists usually spend a few hours at Thekkady and usually return the same day, according to the tourism circuit.
The booking at the tourist hotels and home stay facilities has dropped, though there was not a massive cancellation of booking. ``Since the tourist season has only just started a clear picture will be evolved by December end,'' said the Manager of a Hotel group and added that compared to the last season, the booking by tourists was very low this season.
