Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - July 2009 - Index

Who wants to
holiday in
pouring
rain? Obviously, there
are those who have not
seen rain of the monsoon’s
intensity in their
countries or even in
their home states in
India – people from
desert states like Rajasthan are
willing to pay to savour the
monsoon in the coastal states.
The Indian monsoon also
happens to coincide with the
summer vacations in the Gulf
countries and visitors from
these parched lands are thirsty
for some monsoon action. The
Indian tourist industry has
created tours and activities
aimed specifically at Arab
visitors with open-air discotheques
billed as “rain dance
floors.” Tour operators peddle
sight-seeing trips, or “rain walks,”
as relaxing excursions for “introspection
and family bonding”.
Monsoon tourism has fans
among the double-income-nokids
group as well. People who
are not restricted by school
vacations and believe in beating
the rush and getting a truly
relaxing holiday.
Budget tourists love the fact
that during what used to be a
‘low’ season, holiday packages
are available at an all time low.
It’s easy to find accomodation
and with the teeming crowds
gone, one is able to enjoy a
quiet, peaceful retreat amid
nature’s beauty.
On average, based on the
destination, the mode of travel
and the accommodation, a
holiday package costs between
Rs 12,000 and Rs 20,000 ($300-
going PLACES
Monsoon raga
$500) per head for a week.
But so far, monsoon tourism
has succeeded mainly in Kerala
and to an extent in Goa. While
Goa was able to offer tourist
facilities for a fraction of the
price it would have cost during
the season, thus attracting visitors,
Kerala has succeeded in
building up monsoon tourism.
Another advantage Kerala
has over other states when it
comes to monsoon tourism is
that the Ayur vedic-medical
tourism famous in the southern
state is very effective only in
the monsoon months, making
it an effective tie-in with monsoon
tourism. As nature recoups
with the rains, it is rejuvenation
time for humans, too. According
to Ayurveda, monsoon is
the best season for rejuvenation
therapies. During the monsoon,
the atmosphere remains
dust-free and cool, opening the
pores of the body to the maximum,
making it most receptive
to herbal oils and therapy.
Ayurvedic/monsoon tour
packages are available for
between about Rs 4000 to
Rs11000 ($100-$275) a day,
with discounts offered for
COUR TESY INDIA TOURISM COUR TESY INDIA TOURISM
weekly bookings. Hence the
most popular packages are
those spanning a week or two.
Kerala Tourism is also working
on monsoon food, music
and theatre festivals. Plans are
on for organizing a folklore
festival, as many of Kerala folk
traditions and arts are strongly
associated with the monsoon.
Kerala handicraft department
is developing monsoon
tourism products to help the
local handicrafts. Special monsoon
treks and other activities
are planned as part of these
monsoon packages.
Since their monsoon tourism
programme was launched
in 2005, Kerala found that in
the rain-soaked months of
June, July and August there was
a twenty per cent increase in
the number of tourists. Kerala
hopes to raise the annual domestic
tourism in the state
from the present six per cent
to 12, and international tourists
from 350,000 to one million by
2013.
No longer is the monsoon
considered a deterrent for
tourists. Thanks to the consistent
efforts of Kerala Tourism,
the state is now enjoying
its status as a year-round destination.
– ANTHONY KURIAKOSE
Be aware
Be aware, though, that it’s
not all Raindrops keep falling on
my head and romantic strolls
– the monsoons play havoc
with travel schedules. In fact,
this year, the Mumbai municipality
has issued a notice,
asking people to avoid travel
plans on July 23, 24 and 25.
Heavy floods are expected on
these days in Mumbai. On
July 24, the anticipated tide
level might break the 100year
record.
• For more info, call India Tourism,
Toronto, at 416-962-3787
or visit www.incredible india. org.