Visakhapatnam: The rising frequency of cyclones on the east coast has hit the tourism sector in Visakhapatnam region.
The increasing disasters have been denting the revenue of the sector and damaging the natural settings at the tourist spots. Further, they have also been affecting the climate at the tourist places, like Araku, which is now experiencing warmer winters, though cool winters are its characteristic.
Consequently, the coastal areas have been facing extreme weather, marine and terrestrial loss, rise in sea-level and outbreak of diseases, according to experts.
Normally, tourism is closely linked with the natural environment. Climate is the main attraction for many tourist spots.
But the natural disasters and extreme weather are discouraging tourists from thronging the places.
Araku valley is a place that is visited for its scenic beauty and low temperatures between November and January. But, for the last few days, temperatures have been hovering around 30-34 degree Celsius in the day at the place, which has dispirited tourists from visiting it. The night temperatures are ranging between 10-16 degree Celsius.
The APTDC sources said the corporation suffered Rs 50 lakh loss, as 60-70 per cent of bookings in hotels were cancelled in October, November. Tourist inflow has taken a beating due to the stormy weather.
“In the last two months, the Samaikyandhra movement and the slew of cyclones have badly affected influx of tourists. We are hopeful of the next two cold months, December and January,” said a tourism official.
Studies revealed that sea-level rise of 1 mm per year, along the Bay, could cause a maximum recession of shoreline at 0.5 m per year. This indicates that the rising sea-level will endanger living in low-lying areas.
