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Another season in the sun

PRIYADERSHINI S. finds out what's next after a hectic, colourful and rewarding tourist season

PHOTO: H.VIBHU

HAPPY HOLIDAYS The hosts take a much needed break as tourists return after enjoying a unique Kerala experience

V. Munniappan and his four slithery cobras must be the most photographed frame this season. And now its time for them to take that much needed break. As the tourist season comes to a close ask Munniappan what's been different this time. "Euros instead of dollars," he says with that all knowing grin of an industry that has brought cash and comfort to so many, like him, who exist on its periphery. As he packs his baskets, pipe and the serpents to travel back to his village, Thiruvanmayoor, he is more than satisfied with the season. .

Like him Wahida too is amply satisfied. Her hair cutting business has been profitable and she's looking forward to a bit of rest and holiday for herself. "Tattoos and mehndi tattoos were in vogue this time. Travellers always pamper themselves with a body massage," she adds.

Off-season

Businesses, big and small dependant on tourism, go into slow mode during the coming three months, the off - season. The heat and the rains are the two important factors for this slowing down. But many in the field feel differently. Jose Joseph at the Tourist Information Centre, Fort Kochi, does not like to talk in terms of an off-season. "Now we cannot say that there is really an off - season for there are tourists right through the year. Yes, definitely the volume goes down but unlike a decade ago there is no complete disappearance of the traveller." He says that this season saw a 20-25 per cent surge in tourists and opening up of north Kerala was a welcome trend.

Another tour operator feels that as there was no major domestic or international upheaval, the flow of travellers was smooth and heavy. "Chikungunya could have affected us as it was in the heart of houseboats but we sailed past that. After that the season was simply great. Kerala provides every kind of experience in a small circuit. So we have wildlife, hills, beaches, backwaters, culture, home and farm stays all within a short distance. That's very attractive for a holidaymaker. The opening up of `nalukettus' as home stays is another new and innovative way to charm the traveller. Here the affluent, from rich and cultured families, have opened up their `tharavadus' to the tourist after interacting with them abroad. So that's very new and profitable."

Dental tourism too saw a 30 per cent increase in clientele. Dr. Rajakrishnan C. says, "That's because we have now established the fact that in technology and skill we are at par with our western counterparts and that too at one-fifth to one-tenth of the cost there. Representing Kerala Healthcare Industry at Arabian Travel Mart, Dubai, he believes that efforts of Kerala Tourism and CII have generated this flow of travellers for medical treatment.

For Nimmy Paul whose cookery classes are a delight to the travellers is heaving a sigh of relief about the season coming to a close. "I know that now there is no real closing of the season but I just have to take a break after six months of back breaking hard work." This season her, `The complete Kerala Home' provided cookery sessions and Kerala meals to the cruise liners that visited Kochi. "It was for the first time that I had this unique request to cook for such large groups and to give them a complete Kerala experience. It was wonderful." She cooked for cruise liners QE11, Royal Amsterdam, Silver Sea, two Australian Naval ships and a host of other small liners. Nimmy plans to rejuvenate with an Ayurvedic massage before the start of the next season.

Kochi's art scene too takes a break in these three months. Says Anoop Scaria of Kashi Art gallery, "The tourists don't buy much art but they do visit the galleries." He notices an increase in the flow of young, yuppie Indian travellers, "mainly the IT guys who come for a weekend holiday."

But Anoop is wary about the rising prices of home stays and related tourist wares just as another tour operator too feels that commercialism will kill this perfectly poised industry.

Hot weather

But there is the flip side to everything and like that for this season too. "Yes the weather will kill us. It's too hot so I am going away to my parents for a break," says a restaurateur who pulls down shutters for two months and takes off on a well-deserved holiday.

Another new trend noticed, in the city, was the number of tourists making it to mainland, Ernakulam. "The textile shops are a big draw says an auto rickshawallah who ferries them across. "Ernakulam gets all the business travellers too," he feels.

Proudly surveying the season and the direction the industry is taking, says Jose Dominic, CEO, cghearth hotels, "By the end of the season two things have happened. The customer is asking for more and more and Kerala has the opportunity to show nationally, leadership in responsible tourism. It is garbage and mosquitoes that we should guard against. Kerala has to walk the route first. It is our national priority to take tourism to the next level." And Kerala he believes can do so for our guests of honour.

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