Tourism entrepreneurs in Kozhikode on a sticky wicket

Rain-related calamities and safety concerns have badly hit the operation of several ecotourism centres in rural Kozhikode. Entrepreneurs who run farmstay and homestay ventures say the declining footfall due to bad weather conditions has affected many operators who took bank loans recently for expanding their ventures.

According to them, damaged rural roads connected to prominent ecotourism spots and the long-pending renovation works have equally contributed to the drop in tourist footfall. It has even affected operators in safer locations, they say, adding that Kakkayam is one of the worst-hit locations in the district, where the renovation of several tourism facilities has been pending for years.

“Both the Forest department and the Kerala State Electricity Board have failed to undertake major renovation works at tourism facilities at Kakkayam. Sightseers are disappointed over this poor response to development needs,” says T.K. Biju, a local tourism entrepreneur.

There are also complaints from rural entrepreneurs about the poor promotional activities by the Tourism authorities to highlight the monsoon tourism potential of Kozhikode.

According to them, social media campaigns are still in their infancy, thanks to the lack of proper planning and coordination.

Some rural tourism entrepreneurs complain that the lack of safety and rescue measures at popular waterfalls and trekking sites continues to be another challenge.

They point out that the usual practice of restricting tourists’ entry to such locations, mainly to cover up poor safety arrangements, will in no way help the growth of Responsible Tourism ventures in the monsoon season.

“Arippara waterfalls is one such destination where the lack of safety measures actually makes it the riskiest place with recurring incidents of drowning. The laxity has largely affected the prospects of local tourism facility operators,” says Sandeep Kumar, another entrepreneur from the village. He adds that several other beautiful falls are having the same plight.

V. Sivanandan, a functionary of Kerala Tourism Promoters Association, says that the lack of basic amenities is the biggest hurdle to the promotion of ecotourism spots under government control during the monsoon season.

“In the absence of better road connectivity and comfort station facilities, no tourists will be ready to explore such destinations, where investors are facing losses,” he says.