God’s Own Country, Kerala, was swamped by continual rain during the last few months this year. While, most of Kerala was submerged in the floods, tourism was apparently at the receiving end of the whole trauma. Several tourists, both domestic and international, cancelled their bookings they had made for visiting different destinations in the state.
However, if the latest news reports are anything to go by, the land of backwaters is believed to be 90 percent ready to welcome tourists currently. Lately, the Tourism Minister announced that maximum number of tourists spots in Kerala are unaffected from the floods of 2018. As per a survey carried out at 70 significant tourist sites throughout 14 districts in Kerala, about 90 percent attractions are prepared enough to welcome tourists once again. The remaining 10 percent spots will be neatened up to receive tourists within a month.
News has it that the historical monuments, tourist resorts and famous sites across Kerala are still intact from the unfortunate natural calamity. Elsewhere a lot of damage has been suffered by the roads and other infrastructure in Kerala like never before. Out of the 70 tourist places in the state, 38 are fully safe from floods, the remaining 22 have been restored well, and the remaining 10 will be fully functional within almost 30 days.
According to the news reports, tourists from abroad and India have already started flowing to Kerala now that the airports across the state have started operating again. In order to put Kerala right back on the tourism map, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KBM) has been scheduled between December 12, 2018 and March 29, 2019. It will be the largest contemporary art global event in South Asia, and will serve as a platform to depict the valour of Kerala.
Besides, the state government is also planning to organise the Champions Boat League in 2018 as per its previous schedule to let everyone know that Kerala’s backwaters are as sound as ever for adventure activities.
Kerala, which was ravaged by floods in August, is ready to welcome tourists from October, a senior official from Kerala said on Saturday.
“Kerala tourism is quickly bouncing back from the flood-related damage which has not affected most of the tourist spots, hotels and resorts in the state,” P Bala Kiran, director, Kerala’s Department of Tourism, told reporters.
He also said that that the arrival of tourists had started picking up from August 29, 2018.
“Airports, road and rail networks are operational. The fourth airport at Kannur in north Kerala will be opened soon,” he said, adding that the state’s Malabar region would get an encouragement due to the opening of Kannur airport which is going to be commenced soon.
Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanad, which were affected due to rains and landslides this time, are now completely open for tourists and public as was Eravikulam National Park, he said. Since tourism is set back on track, we can easily find resorts here to stay when looking for Villa resort in Munnar.
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