As per statistics form the tourism department, during the tourist season – from October to April, 26 luxury ships with around 35,000 tourists have arrived in Kerala. Where the projected number of tourists for the season was around 50,000; the number of tourists arrived within two months is considered to be a positive sign in the cruise tourism sector. The Cochin Port Trust has got Rs 3 crore as of now.
Cruise tourism is proved to be beneficial for the local market. It is reported that a tourist spent approximately Rs 25,000 per day on major tourism centers in Kerala. Accordingly the tourism sector has received foreign exchange worth of around Rs 75 crore during this time. If the current trend continues, it is expected to cross the 80,000 mark.
The Port Trust has been providing specialized facilities to promote cruise tourism. It is considering more stalls for small scale traders. It is also planning to start a helicopter service connecting Munnar, Thekkady and Jatayu Earth’s Center in Chadayamangalam, Kollam.
It is expected that more foreign tourists will arrive to Kochi, once the new international terminal is operational.
With inputs from the discussion in ‘Asianet News’ regarding the problems faced by the tourism sector.
