Responsible Tourism wing of the Tourism Department feels that the decision would enhance the global image of Kerala
Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) is planning a series of agitations against the Government's decision. (Photo: DC/File)
Thiruvananthapuram: While the tourism sector seems to have been jolted by the ban on the sale of liquor, the Responsible Tourism wing of the Tourism Department feels that the decision would enhance the global image of Kerala as a responsible destination.
“It is no one’s case that those coming to Kerala are here for a drink. It is the state’s natural beauty that brings them here,” said Rupesh Kumar, the state coordination of Responsible Tourism.
A survey conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council has found that 60 percent of English travelers prefer ‘responsible’ destinations. “Any policy move that will affect the marginalised of a local community, liquor ban for instance, is seen by discerning travelers as a responsible initiative,” said Joe Sinclair, a British academician who was in the state last week.
Hoteliers plan to block Bevco outlets
The Ernakulam district committee of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) is planning a series of agitations against the Government’s decision to close down bar hotels. To register its protest, the association will block all outlets of the Beverages Corporation in Ernakulam district on Saturday.
After a meeting to discuss the agitation programmes, KHRA district executive committee members said several political leaders had taken money from hotel owners and those who were given handsome amounts had turned against bar owners.
According to the association, the Government’s new policy will ring the death knell of the hotel bar industry which is worth Rs 20,000 cr. The new policy was in violation of the right to work and could not be justified in any way.
While beverages outlets, which constituted 80 per cent of the liquor market in the State, would be closed down only in a phased manner over10 years, bar hotels were being closed with immediate effect without giving the owners even a notice period. This could never be justified, the meeting observed.
The KHRA urged the public to expose the double-standard of the State Government on the issue and requested the support of like-minded organisations for the protest programmes.
“The bar hotel industry employs more than one lakh people either directly or indirectly. Closing down the sector will create the image of an ‘investment-unfriendly State’ to Kerala. It will hit the tourism sector as well. The decision will also hit the availability of hotel rooms, conference halls and convention centres,” said KHRA district secretary M.P.Shiju. — DC
( Source : dc correspondent )
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