Kerala Tourism Department is set to brand the current spell of chill in Munnar. Tourists are flocking to Munnar which, with its snow-clad look, has become something like the Kashmir of the South. Munnar is preparing to recapture the tourism market which had dwindled after the floods.
Munnar recorded subzero temperature for the 8th consecutive day. The temperature was zero degree yesterday at the town and the tea estates recorded -2 degree Celsius.
It is quarter of a century since Munnar had plunged to subzero temperatures on consecutive days for over a week. Foreign tourists and domestic tourists from North India make up the largest chunk of visitors to Munnar these days. The tourism department estimates the daily footfall to Munnar these days to be in the tune of 6000.
G Vinod, vice-president of 'Showcase', the Association of resort owners said that all the hotels and resorts in Munnar are fully booked. The cold weather is expected to last till the middle of the next month. Visitors wanting to take in the chill are returning only after visiting Mattuppetti, Top Station, Rajamala, Vattavada and Marayur. At the same time, there is criticism on the government’s alleged failure to effectively spread the message that Munnar is now free from the effects of the floods and is a safe place to visit.
K Jeevan Babu, district collector of Idukki told Manorama that he would visit Munnar today to explore the opportunities for attracting more tourists to Munnar. Jayan K Vijayan, secretary of Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council said that he is studying the means to effectively sell Munnar's snow.
