Coronavirus | Second wave of COVID-19 deals body blow to Kumarakom

There was a mega flood in 2018, adopted by one other later subsequent yr. Then got here the regional well being scare, the Nipah outbreak.

But through the years since its emergence as a globally acclaimed village vacation spot, Kumarakom has not witnessed something remotely just like the impression of the COVID-19. And simply when it was bouncing again from the impression of the pandemic-induced lock down final yr, the second wave of the pandemic has dealt a body blow to the tourism enterprise within the vacation spot.

A village used to obtain over seven million guests yearly. However, the strains of vacationers that had been typical as soon as have disappeared now. The famed home boats have as soon as once more begun idling alongside the canal banks whereas the resorts and resorts have all wound up operation for the time-being.

“The second wave and the corresponding lock down has dashed the hopes of a recovery that was based on an increasing domestic tourist arrival since November 2020”, identified Arun Kumar K., secretary, Chamber of Vembanad Hotels and Resorts (CVHR). A sector that gives employment to round 2500 folks instantly and hundreds of others not directly, the hospitality sector right here is now wanting up to the State authorities to declare the phase as an business for some reduction.

While the lock down final yr was significantly extreme on the center and bottom-line operators, the second wave has not spared even the high-scale operators. “The fixed cost obligations are taking a toll on the investors, who may be forced to look beyond tourism if the business does not recover in another six months”, he added.

The village’s native financial system, which is primarily depending on tourism, is just too reeling beneath the shock. Among probably the most affected are operators and employees of the houseboats and small-sized shikara boats, who’ve enormous financial institution loans to repay. The zero bookings have compelled the workforce to take up informal work to make their each ends meet.

Taking a severe observe of the state of affairs, the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission, Kerala has now engaged the employees and artisans registered with it in various supply of livelihood reminiscent of farming. “The local economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism, has all but crumbled. Hence, we have engaged them in alternative sectors to ensure daily income”, stated K.Rupesh Kumar, Coordinator, RT mission.

At the identical time, the net coaching for enlisted contributors within the village life packages and residential stays Responsible Tourism and worth addition actions are progressing with out a lot hindrance.

As per estimates by the RT Mission, the annual earnings raked in by the 3500-odd models throughout the backwater villages got here down from 5.5 crore in 2019- 20 to ₹85 lakh in 20-21. The income from RT models within the first month of the continued monetary yr, in the meantime, is zero.