Monsoon tourism picks up in Idukki

IDUKKI: With the Nipah scare dying down, Idukki’s monsoon tourism destinations have started seeing more footfalls now.
In the wake of a 23-year-old student of a private college in Thodupuzha getting infected by Nipah virus early this month, the tourism sector in Munnar and Thekkady feared severe dip in monsoon tourist arrival. However, the tourism stakeholders from Munnar and Thekkady said the tourist arrivals were normal and the Nipah scare had not affected the tourism sector.
Munnar hotel and restaurant association president V V George said, “In the first two days after Nipah infection was confirmed, cancellation of bookings was reported in Munnar.Now, the situation has changed and tourist arrival has become normal.”
“Last year we lost 70-80% of Arab tourist arrivals due to Nipah scare. We expect more Arab tourists in the coming days. Munnar is getting good monsoon rain and the weather is chilly,” he added.
Usually, Arab tourists arrive from first week of June to August to enjoy the rains. Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon and Gavi are the main monsoon tourism destinations in the state.
Jose Abraham, who runs ‘The Treetop’ resort in Thekkady said, “Presently there is no cancellation of bookings from the tourists. We are also receiving calls from tourist groups for bookings.”