The Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode just as the tourist season kicked in, has cast a shadow on tourist arrivals to Kerala, which was expecting a resounding footfall this year following the lull caused by the deluge and the pandemic.
Apart from providing direct and indirect employment to lakhs of people, the State’s tourism sector helped the State earn approximately ₹40,000 crore each year till the pandemic struck.
Sources in Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society said the Nipah outbreak, although confined to a small region in Kozhikode, could well affect tourist arrivals to Kerala, unless proactive confidence-building measures (CBMs) are taken. “Already, many tourism stakeholders are worried at the spate of cancellations and enquiries being made by guests from other States and abroad who had planned trips to the State. A few national conferences slated this month too might be cancelled due to health concerns.”
