The tourism industry in Idukki is keeping fingers crossed over the arrival of tourists from Arabian countries to enjoy monsoon tourism.
Tourists from Gulf countries have started thronging to the state and especially to different locations in Idukki district with the school vacation commencing in the Gulf, Shankar Menon, resort manager, Terrace Greens, Sterling Holidays, told Express.
“The industry is looking forward to a positive season. The Gulf schools have just closed and tourists from there have begun to come in, he said. The high summer in the Gulf will definitely make this part of the world very attractive for them. Prospects of ayurveda massage, the cool ambience of Munnar and the landscape here are really tempting,” he said.
We expect the incoming of Gulf tourists in two sections this year. The first round of them coming now will return by the beginning of July for observing Ramadan. During this period they do not travel to strictly follow their religious norms,” he said.
The touring season will resume on the second week of August until the school reopening in September. The Tourism Department is confident of a good season this year, he added.
“The monsoon seems to be good this year compared to last year. We expect a good response from the Gulf tourists,” Joykutty George, deputy director, Kerala Tourism Department, told Express.
According to George, the flow of Gulf tourists has been growing for the last few years. Unlike the private sector, the Tourism Department has not made any attempt to tap the potential in the hospitality sector. However, the department has arranged three sight seeing trips for the tourists in Munnar. One trip is within the township, the other to Chinnar, Marayoor forest area and the third one to villages in the region, George said.
He agreed that unlike the European tourists, those from the gulf are not seen taking interest in joining sight seeing trips. They prefer to sit in their camp, relax and relish delicacies.
The private resorts and hotels have risen to the occasion to provide food to their likening. According to Menon, the Arabs prefer bland food without much spices. Bland biriyani, stew, tandoor are some of their favourites, he said.