Tourists have been the worst sufferers whenever a hartal is called in the State. Those who alight from flights or arrive by trains or buses get stranded at airports, railway stations and bus terminals, with no means to get to their destinations. It was worse during the days of 24-hour bandhs. The dawn-to-dusk hartals are better, but the tourists must perforce remain in limbo till the roads are cleared for traffic.
The industry had been demanding exemption from hartals for several years, citing the hassles faced by the holidayers and stakeholders and the negative image hartals had given the destination. The Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI) had launched a social media campaign ‘No More Hartals in Kerala’ sometime ago, but in vain. Given this background, the government decision to get tourist destinations exempted from hartals is being viewed with relief by the industry.
“I would call this a tri-colour and green initiative,” says Jose Dominic, director, CGH Earth, who has been a vociferous campaigner to keep tourist destinations shielded from hartals. “Since doors are getting closed for jobseekers from Kerala in the Middle East and U.S, Kerala cannot afford to ignore the opportunity tourism gives. Apart from the revenue generated, tourism’s potential to create livelihood and generate employment cannot be ignored. Remember, one out of every three new jobs in Kerala is generated from the tourism sector now,” he says.
Mr. Dominic is confident that the exemption from hartals being granted to tourists would ultimately result in hartals themselves vanishing, though there is the immediate challenge of recognising a tourist who comes via all modes of transport for holidaying. The decision to exempt tourism from hartals will take time to become fully operational and there will be teething problems. If the government is able to implement the decision in letter and spirit, it would bring about a wholesome change, he adds. Relief is palpable as tour operators respond to questions about the decision.
“It has been a nightmare for tour operators. We were forced to reschedule tourists’ itinerary and those who visited God’s Own Country on hartal days had to go back disappointed. It was clear all along that we could not have hartal and tourism together and it is good to see some sense prevail now,” says Thiruvananthapuram-based leading tour operator Anish Kumar P.K.
President of the Thiruvananthapuram unit of Home Stays and Tourism Society (HATS) D. Soman says it is dream-come-true for homestay owners and other stakeholders of the industry.
“Hartals lead to cancellations and revenue loss as tourists have to take early departures to be in the safe zones. Now, they can come and relax,” Mr. Soman says.
