Kumarakom: Heralding a new beginning for this renowned tourism destination in Kottayam district of Kerala, the first foreign visitors have arrived after the international travel restrictions imposed in view of COVID-19 were eased. They are Silvie, a former diplomat, and her spouse Aldo from Switzerland.
Incidentally, this is the couple’s fourteenth visit to Kumarakom. During the current trip, Silvie and Aldo would be spending two weeks at the pristine backwater tourism spot.
The Indian Government had allowed entry for foreign tourists to the country only on November 15 this year. The very next day itself, Silvie and Aldo took off from Switzerland for India.
“No foreign tourists had visited Kumarakom after the lockdown was imposed in view of the global pandemic and a travel ban came into force. However, the arrival of the Swiss couple is a very good sign. More foreign travellers will soon reach Kumarakom,” said G Sambhu, general manager of the Coconut Lagoon resort.
Silvie was Switzerland’s ambassador to New Zealand during the 1990s.