KOCHI:The Nipah scare which rocked the state, also affected the pre-bookings for the Neelakurinji season, set to commence at Munnar within a few weeks.The Tourism Department estimates pre-bookings went down by 10 per cent due to the virus scare. So, to attract maximum number of tourists from across the globe to the once-in-12-year phenomenon at Munnar, the department is mulling online campaigns.
“A meeting of officers with tour operators and representatives of hotels and allied industries was held two weeks ago.
As per the information provided by tour operators, it is estimated there has been a 10 per cent drop in the number of pre-bookings than expected,” said an officer with the Tourism Department.Another officer said though the rush of domestic tourists is often greater than foreign tourists during the Neelakurinji season, the department expects the online campaigns will boost the prospects of arrival of the latter as well this season.
“Some of the tour operators and hoteliers had raised concerns over the number of cancellations and low pre-bookings in May. However, the bookings will rise as Nipah is under control now and with the aid of online campaigns which will popularise the Neelakurinji season. The online campaigns will be conducted on Twitter and Facebook as well,” said the officer.Commonly found in the Western Ghats, the Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthiana) are seen in large numbers mainly in the Munnar region.
For traffic management during the season, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) conducted a study based on which it was decided to provide `1.5 crore to the Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) for implementing the NATPAC recommendations.
Tourists will be taken to Neelakurinji sanctuary on KSRTC buses. With at least 10 lakh visitors expected during the season, the permitted number of daily visitors will be enhanced from the existing 4,000.
Other arrangements
The Tourism Department is also looking to introduce projects for waste management during the season for which `1.3 crore will be sanctioned. The government has also allotted funds to develop basic infrastructure at Munnar and Devikulam.
A fund of `88 lakh has been provided to the Munnar Wildlife Division for infrastructure development at the Eravikulam National Park. An amount of `90 lakh, allotted for the expansion of eco-tourism at Silent Valley, Rhodo Valley and Meesapulimala near Munnar, will also be spent on infrastructure development.
A sum of `45 lakh has been allocated for the development of solid waste management system at Devikulam. Similarly, `1.27 crore has been sanctioned for improving the facilities for visitors. Steps have been taken to increase the facilities at hotels run by KTDC.