There are about 2,000 private entreprises catering to tourism in 15 locations
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: PTI)
Kochi: The government move to close down all liquor bars has come as a rude shock to the tourism industry ahead of the biennial mega business event, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), to be held in Kochi from September 18 to 20. The industry on Tuesday sough relaxation in issuance of licences for beer and wine parlours as a measure to counter the situation.
There are about 2,000 private entreprises catering to tourism in 15 locations in the state and many of them had invested crores of rupees to set them up over the last 30 years, pointed out KTM president Abraham George, who was part of a delegation that met Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Chief Secretary E.K. Bharatbhushan on Tuesday. They will meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday.
“This (representation) was not to seek any drastic change in the liquor policy of the government. We are only asking for a relaxation in norms for issuing licences for beer and wine parlours so that more such parlours could be started. Otherwise the recent decision of the government to close the liquor bars will send a wrong message to foreign tourists,” Mr George said. Senior industry leaders Jose Dominic and E.M. Najeeb were also part of the delegation.
One of their proposals was to allow the existing bar owners to run beer and wine parlours. “Of course, the foreigners don’t come here for drinking, but having a beer or a glass of wine with dinner is part of their culture. We also have to take into account that Kerala Tourism has stiff challenge from neighbouring states as well as from countries like Sri Lanka,” Mr George said.
( Source : dc )
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