The bird flu impact is likely to cast a shadow over Kerala’s booming tourism industry at a time when the sector is looking for a double-digit growth.
Industry stakeholders are of the view that the slowdown in Europe and Kerala’s partial liquor ban had adversely affected the State’s tourism prospects. The outbreak of avian influenza at the start of the peak tourism season is likely to severely impact the industry further, it is feared.
However, with the detection of H5N1 virus in birds and the chance of human infection, the industry is quite apprehensive of the possibility of countries issuing travel advisories against visiting Kerala.
Though there were no immediate reports of cancellations, it is pointed out that leading upcountry tour operators are in touch with stakeholders here seeking updates on the situation. Alappuzha and Kumarakom, the two most affected areas, are preferred destinations for foreign travellers during Christmas and New Year.
Last year, the industry recorded a foreign tourist arrival of 8.58 lakh and 1.08 crore domestic tourists, which is growing consistently year-on-year.
Govt role lauded EM Najeeb, President of the Confederation of Tourism Industry, said the bird flu reports are definitely a concern, especially in Kumarakom and Alappuzha. However, the positive point is that the government has promptly acted by taking effective measures to tackle it.
“The need of the hour is to ensure that countries do not issue travel advisories against Kerala. A message should go out through embassies on the steps taken by the authorities,” he said.
Apprehensions Jose Dominic, Managing Director of CGH Earth, said the partial prohibition in the State together with reports of bird flu would cause a big hit. “It will have serious implications on the industry this season,” he said.
Moreover the government’s decision to observe Sundays as a dry day already impacted conference tourism leading to several cancellations.
The tourism industry, he said, is the highest job creator and the gross economic value of Kerala Tourism is estimated at ₹23,000 crore.
According to N Sreekumar, General Secretary of All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association, the outbreak of bird flu would definitely be a setback. The impact will be seen only after two-three weeks, depending on the spread of the news to more areas. There are about 800 houseboats operating in Alappuzha, fetching annual revenue of nearly ₹1,000 crore, he said.