The
tsunami phenomenon has lashed the travel trade and hospitality
sector with all beach resorts being declared out of bounds
for the tourists. Tourism sources feared that the calamity
in Kollam, Alappuzha and Kanyakumari districts will affect
beach tourism, which has been the thrust area of Kerala
Tourism over the years.
A
majority of the tourists opt for 'sun and beach' packages
and prefer to stay in beach resorts, especially in Kochi,
Chowara, Kovalam, Varkala and Marari in Alappuzha. In
and around Kovalam alone, there are 25 beach resorts.
The
disaster has come as a shock at a time when the travel
trade and hospitality sectors were anticipating a better
tourist inflow this year in view of the good bookings.
All the resorts and hotels, including budget hotels, were
fully booked till the middle of January next.
Travel
trade sources said cancellations had been reported mainly
in hotels dotting the beaches in Kovalam, resort at Marari
and backwater resorts. A coastal alert had been issued
taking into account the safety of the tourists and life-guards
had been posted round-the-clock in all major beaches frequented
by tourists. All beach
resorts had been asked not to allow tourists to enter
the beach and to venture into the sea in view of the alert
issued by the authorities.
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