Domestic tourists to Kerala prefers short stays to avoid quarantine

The surge in the inflow of domestic tourists to Kerala during the Christmas-New Year festive season brought some cheer to Kerala tourism stakeholders, even as quarantine norms are keeping away guests who generally stay put in the State for 2 weeks.

The pandemic has not just hit the hospitality stakeholders but also the Ayurveda and wellness sectors, which combined together contribute a major chunk of income from tourism. Most guests hence prefer short vacations lasting less than a week.

The Ayurveda Promotion Society (APMS) has recently submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Kerala, explaining the present situation of the operators and staff at Ayurveda hospitals, clinics, and resorts, which offer treatment packages ranging from 10 to 28 days for guests. Mr. Sajeev Kurup, President of the society said “We have demanded that the sector be exempted from the mandatory quarantine norms at least till April since guests from other States and West Asia are willing to stay put for over a week for various treatments, but for quarantine norms”. They include those from West Asia who are willing to opt for a medical visa and confirm the booking. Many are keen to visit Kerala for annual and follow-up treatments too. The State will otherwise have to wait till September when the tourist season begins, he added.

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