Decision of the State government would have a serious impact on the travel
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
KOCHI:The Kerala Travel Mart, scheduled to be held in Kochi in September, a premium event of the hospitality industry in the state, may be marred by the state government’s decision to close down all bars in the state except in five-star category hotels, said Johny Abraham George, president, Kerala Travel Mart.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. George said the decision of the state government would have a serious impact on the travel, tourism and IT industries in the state. “These industries that are showing an ever growing trend in the state will nosedive to uncertainty”, he said.
“We will not be able to answer questions from the participants in the travel mart. We are already getting anxious queries from many leading tour operators about the situation in Kerala”, he said.
“It is obvious that tourists choose Kerala for the natural beauty and drinking wine or beer is part of the culture of most tourists. If we deny such facilities they will turn to other States or countries”, said Jose Dominic of CGH Earth Group, a key player in the hospitality sector.
According to the hospitality industry players, bar hotels accounted for a mere 5 per cent of the total liquor sales in the state. The state government owned Beverages Corporation and Consumerfed sells nearly 95 per cent of the liquor sold in the state, they added.
The current policy of will be suicidal as it kills the whole industry by eliminating only 5 per cent of the total consumption, they added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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