New Delhi: Brand Branjelina may be the best bet for boosting tourism in India, but even as the celebrity couple is throwing caution to wind and getting their joyride, tourism in India is already showing signs of a downslide.
Tourist hotspot Kerala is just one such example. There are now even travel advisories against visting the place.
Says a houseboat owner in Kerala, Vignesh, "Because of chikungunya there are so many cancellations - for tour packages, houseboats and other holiday packages."
Even the tourism industry is beginning to worry now. For them the peak tourist season from October to February will be hit badly if the Government declares dengue an epidemic.
Says a tour operator, Subash Goyal, "Tourists are concerned, but we have reassured them that we will see to it that your itinerary doesn't have any infested area. If it is declared an epidemic, then yes, it is definitely going to effect tourism."
And there is concern regarding dengue even among those who are only visiting Delhi. Foriegn tourists are taking precautions like repellants and sprays .
Says a traveller, Annette Shriner, "I have taken a whole range of injections and malaria tablets and we are being very careful as far as hygiene is concerned."
Another traveller who has come to Delhi from Norway, Yngue Danle, says, "Basically we are in air conditioned rooms all the time and we are not going to be doing too much sightseeing out in the countryside in any case."
Meanwhile the Government is keeping its fingers crossed. For a country with global ambitions, dengue and chikungunya are bad news, and this could well be a dampener on Incredible India.
Comments
0 comment