Date:31/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/31/stories/2004123101541700.htm

Back `Kerala tourism least affected by tsunami'

C.J. Punnathara

Kochi , Dec. 30

DESPITE the panic and adverse publicity created by the tsunami that struck some parts of the Kerala coast, the tourism industry has been least affected.

"In view of the enormity of the tragedy, we have cancelled the New Year celebrations. In fact, that is the only major cancellation that we have, and that has been made by us," said Mr Sanjay Sharma, General Manager of Le Meridien, Kochi.

Mr Visheshwar Raj Singh, General Manager of the Trident, said: "There is still a desperate need for rooms during this festive season and there are hardly any cancellations. There have been some enquiries and we have assured the customers that things are normal in Kerala."

The CGH Earth group of hotels had one group cancellation involving 18 rooms, which was immediately snapped by people who could not be accommodated earlier.

"There has been no sense of panic among our customers. People are still lolling around at the Marari beach resort. The Bangaram beach resort in Lakshadweep is full to capacity and they are least aware of the calamity that occurred in the outside world," said Mr Jose Dominic, Managing Director of CGH Earth group.

However, the hospitality industry is pitching in making contributions to the relief fund.

At a meeting of the major hotel groups, most said that they would be cancelling their New Year celebrations in view of the catastrophe.

Those that planned to go ahead with the celebrations said that they would contribute a part of the proceeds to the Chief Minister's relief fund. The Le Meridian said that it would be contributing two days' salary of its staff to the Chief Minister's relief fund.

Several of the tourists who were vacationing in the State have volunteered to make generous payment to the relief fund.

Mr David Altschuler, a guest at the Marari Beach Resort, rang up the relief camps and has promised 5,000 bed sheets, 8,000 undergarments each for men and women, buckets, mugs etc, Mr Dominic said.

However, most of the hoteliers were unhappy at the uncertainty prevailing in the coastal areas today.

For the moment, the tourism industry remains unaffected by the catastrophe that had occurred along the coastal belt of India.