Kochi: A shocking fall of 40 percent in tourist arrivals in Fort Kochi last season has forced the tourism department and the Kochi Corporation to join hands to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of heritage structures among others. A meeting of top officials attended by principal secretary (tourism) Dr Venu V., tourism director U. V. Jose and mayor Soumini Jain among others was held here on Saturday.
“The season is about to take off in September. Last time, there was a 40 percent slump in footfalls, and we want to improve the scenario. We decided on a weekly cleaning of the beach, the main attraction of the famed destination, probably on all Saturdays. A review found that untidy beach is the primary factor that drives away visitors along with poor management of heritage structures,” a top official said. They also decided to increase the corporation's ground staff there, the expenses of which will be met by the tourism department. Also, programmes ensuring participation of local people will be initiated at regular intervals to create a friendly atmosphere.
The meet also discussed the possibility of entrusting a private agency or an NGO for proper upkeep of the infrastructure. “We’ve already started a weekly cleaning drive under Clean Fort Kochi Foundation, which includes the participation of the homestay and hotel associations and residents' associations besides the corporation officials. Already dedicated vehicles were handed over, and the activities have started,” said Shiny Mathew of town planning committee.
