Idukki tourism blooms again

Munnar: The tourism sector in Munnar is getting back to normal, as the Neelakurinji that blooms only once in 12 years has been sighted in Rajamala and tourism centres that had remained shut started reopening one by one from Saturday.

Online booking has resumed for entry tickets to Rajamala to see Kurinji.

The rains had inflicted massive losses on Munnar tourism hub, which had waited for 12 years for the season of the rare purple flowers that brings tourists in thousands. The Eravikulam national park had to be closed from August 11 to 31. Online booking to see Kurinji was earlier opened on August 15. However, visitors had to be kept away as the floods ravaged. Some 3,920 people who had booked online, cancelled their visit. A total sum of Rs 3,25,530 was refunded. Some 4,606 people postponed their visit.

The park normally admits 3,000 people every day. It was raised to 3,500 in August, considering the Kurinji season. Seventy five per cent of the tickets can be booked online. Rest of the tickets are sold at the counter.

The district tourism promotion council is estimated to have lost around Rs 60 lakhs to the flooding. At the same time, it is readying more facilities for visitors.

Those who travel to Eravikulam national park from Munnar now reach Periyavarai and take a trek through a temporary walkway. They then board other vehicles.

The Munnar Hotel and Resorts Association said bookings have resumed in hotels and resorts that were entirely shut down during the flood. Markets are also springing back to life.

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