Travel advisories by the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to their citizens visiting Kerala in the wake of hartals and street violence are a jolt to tourism industry that is bouncing back after the deluge in August.
The stakeholders of the industry and those at the helm of affairs in Kerala tourism are in a shock as the USA, the UK and Saudi Arabia are the top 15 countries in foreign tourist arrivals over the years and source markets for Kerala.
The travel advisories have come at a time when the Kerala tourism has claimed that it has been able to bring down the dip in tourist arrivals of 18.46% in August and 18.16% in September to 7% and 2% in October and November respectively.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said the advisories to take reasonable precautions and avoid large crowds are a humiliation for the State as more than 10% of the state GDP is based on hospitality industry and the sector is bouncing back.
The U.S. Consulate in Chennai, in its advisory to its citizens has pointed out the violent protests throughout Kerala, including Palakkad, Kasaragod, and Kollam. “.. A general strike could cause work stoppages, shop closures, and transportation delays. It is recommended for everyone to take reasonable precautions regarding personal security and avoid any large crowds,” the advisory said.
The advisory has asked the U.S. citizens proceeding to Kerala to avoid areas with demonstrations and civil disturbances, to keep a low profile and to be aware of surroundings. The U.S. Consulate has asked them to monitor local media for updates, do not draw attention to themselves and to review personal security plans.
For the U.K. citizens, the advisory was issued by the Foreign Commonwealth Office and the Consulate in Mumbai for the citizens of Saudi Arabia preferring to go to Kerala for holidays.
“It is a big setback for the industry and the only hope is that Middle East countries do not follow suit. The tourists will not fly down to a destination where frequent hartals and street violence take place. The advisories have a long-term impact. The only solace is that the sector was given exemption from the two-day general strike,” “senior vice-president of IATO, E.M. Najeeb said.
Member of the National Tourism Advisory Board, Abraham George, said the industry was clueless on the way ahead as domestic tourists were also skipping the destination.
“The recent incidents have caused long-term damage to the tourism industry. The government and political parties should jointly come up with some solution to overcome the crisis,” Mr. George said. The captains of the tourism industry are to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan next week in this regard.
Foreign tourist arrival to Kerala during 2017 was 10,91,870 showing an increase of 5.15% over the previous year’s figure of 10,38,419.
