Kumarakom, Thekkady slowly rebound as tourists arrive

HIGHLIGHTS
  • More foreigners are expected in the coming days.
  • Tourism sector in Kumarakom lost over Rs 100 crore in the mid-August floods.
Thekkady
Prominent tourist circuits in Kerala were out of bounds as incessant rains and floods ravaged Kerala last month.

Kottayam: The two major tourist spots of Kumarakom and Thekkady are slowly getting back to normalcy after last month's flood havoc had upset the plans of many domestic and overseas travellers. The revival has kindled hopes of many locals who rely on the industry.

Proving that tourism is kicking in Kumarakom, after a hiatus, a batch of foreigners arrived at this scenic rural setting by the backwaters on Tuesday. They were seen taking a trip on houseboat after being given a warm welcome by officials of the tourism department.

This was the first batch of foreign tourists taking the boat ride, post flood. A domestic group from Koothattukulam in Ernakulam district had taken a houseboat ride three days ago. A group of tourists from north India are also around. More foreigners are expected in the coming days.

The tourism sector in Kumarakom lost over Rs 100 crore in the mid-August floods. Out of 29 resorts, 27 shuttered and all 110 houseboats had to be rested.

Meanwhile, resort authorities in Kumarakom are readying a campaign named 'Kumarakom is Safe,' which they hope would bring in more foreign tourists. Hotels, resorts and home stays, damaged in the deluge, have been refurbished and reopened for tourists. The tourism department, which is also actively campaigning, had called a meeting last week to review the situation.

Biju Varghese, deputy director of the tourism department, receives a foreign tourist who arrived in Kumarakom.

Gujarati tourists

Meanwhile, far east in Thekkady, closer to the Tamil Nadu border, Gujarati tourists arrived on Tuesday. They were received with much fanfare as elephants were lined up and a percussion orchestra (chendamelam, Kerala's traditional drum beat) added to the rousing reception. Tourist guides, taxi drivers and staff from the nearby spices park joined the welcome ceremony. The 36 visitors had arrived at the Cochin International Airport, travelled to Munnar and proceeded to Thekkady from there. They came despite knowing about the propaganda the deluge has destroyed Kerala's roads and epidemics are rampant. They, however, stressed that they never faced any problem during their trip in Kerala.

The Gujarati tourists were one of the first batches to arrive after the shutdown forced by the flood.

Prominent tourist circuits in Kerala were out of bounds as incessant rains and floods ravaged Kerala last month. 

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