Kerala kicks off tourism season with 114 centres laid open. The re-opening is a cautious one, drawing only domestic tourists in the first phase with strict covid protocols in place.
Centres opened through districts figure at 7 in Thiruvananthapuram; Kollam 11; Pathanamthitta 5; Alappuzha 3; Kottayam 5; Idukki 14; Ernakulam 5; Thrissur 10; Palakkad 11; Malappuram 12; Kozhikode 2; Wayanad 11; Kannur 12 and Kasaragod 6. Ponnmudi in capital will stay shuttered due to safety concerns. Those re-opening will receive tourists from 9 am morning to 6 pm evening.
Only 6 persons will be allowed to a spot at any given time. The aggregate number allowed to a tourist site would be limited from 15 to 500 people, depending on the features and size of the location. If found necessary, tourism police will be deployed to assist Kudambsree and Life Guard sections to implement security and health-protection measures.
Resorts and house-boats are preparing to mark a full re-opening. 46 centres covering beaches and waterfalls will open by 1st of November including Kovalam, Varkala, Kollam, Perunthanaruvi, Thattekode, Kappad, Payyambala and Bekkal. Incidentally, eco tourism at forest stretches had begun a while ago.
The re-opening is aimed to help return to normalcy, the sector that slumped under restrictions since January. Preparations for full-fledged campaign is underway, to draw swarms of tourists from around the country.
