Promoting Ayurveda For Immunity: How Kerala Is Set To Reopen Its Tourism Sector From October

Ayurveda and ayurvedic massages are often intertwined with Kerala tourism and for many tourists who visit the state, the trip is not complete without getting a rejuvenating body massage.

Now due to COVID-19, there is an increasing demand for immunity boosters and alternative treatments like Ayurveda.

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Kerala is hoping to pitch this as its USP, as the state, often referred to as God's Own Country is set to welcome tourists.

Kerala is planning to open up the tourism sector by next month, despite the rise in COVID-19 cases there.

According to Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, the tourism department has prepared a report and plan for the same, with a very emphasis on safety and SOPs for the same.

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¡°The plan includes highlighting the importance of wellness and ayurveda for immunity. The file has been presented to the chief minister and health department for their advice,¡± the minister has said.

Revenue loss of over Rs 25,000 crore

Tourism has been a key revenue generator in the state and the lockdown had resulted in a loss of Rs 25,000 crore.

While several other states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir had reopened their tourist sector in July, Kerala had held back.

However, the government has been under increasing pressure from the industry and the business community to resume tourism at least partially.

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More than 15 lakh people who depend on the tourism industry directly or indirectly have been left jobless due to the crisis.

This ranges from tour operators to hotelier and roadside vendors.

Many left jobless

Arun Anand Jalasree, who is a houseboat owner in Kerala's Alappuzha said the sector has been left in shambles due to the lockdown and hoped that they are allowed to operate soon.

"The boat has been left idle in the water from mid-March. I have suffered a loss of around 8-9 lakhs in the six months of lockdown. April-May is the peak season for us, but we could not operate this year. I had to let go of my three staff due to the crisis," Arun said.

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With the tourism sector set to reopen, Arun said the boat owners are hoping for a good season from October to January.

He however admitted that it won't be easy for many boat owners to resume services.

There are around 1200 houseboats in Alappuzha alone, and most of them have been docked from moths. This has left many boats damaged.

"Due to being left unattended many boats have suffered heavy damages. It will cost around Rs 2-3 lakhs to repair them and around the same amount to get all the necessary security clearances for the boat from the authorities," Arun said.