Tourism in Kerala to be exempted from harthals

Tourism industry is one which suffers the most due to the sudden and recurring harthals. In a decision coming as a great relief to the tourism industry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the tourist sector will be exempted from the harthals and strikes at a whole-party meeting on Tuesday. The meeting led by Chief Minister raised concern over the dip in tourism sector due to frequent harthals.

The meeting stressed that wrong message about state is being send to the tourists during these harthals. All political parties attended the meeting extended welcomed this move and extended full support to it. KPCC secretary M.M. Hassan said laws should be made in favour of tourism industry rather than requesting to exempt the sector from harthals. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision of harthal conductors is crucial, not law formulating. CM also confirmed that he has handed over a letter to Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam requesting to let off tourism industry from harthals.

“Tourism centres should be avoided from harthals and strikes. The tourists are facing too many difficulties due to these. Initially, awareness should be made among people regarding the effect of harthals on tourism industry. The decision taken at the meeting supported by all political parties is the first step towards creating this awareness. The practical implementation of this will be carried out soon,” said Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

“This is a welcoming decision from government. ATTOI started a campaign to exclude tourism industry from harthals in 2009. Later many tourism organizations supported the campaign and went forward. Now the government has realised the seriousness of this issue and decided to avoid tourism industry from harthals. The decision can be implemented well after discussion of the government with various tourism offices and industries,”said ATTOI President Anish Kumar P.K.