Kovalam bid to woo back charters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recession-hit tourism industry in Kovalam has dusted off its proposal to woo back the charters in association with the State Government.

The proposal states that the industry and the state should jointly pay up the parking charges and passenger fees that are now being borne by the charters.

Though it had traditionally shown reluctance, the Tourism Department is said to have given its in-principle nod for the proposal. The proposal might be implemented during the next tourism season.

“If the industry feels that such sops will tip the balance in the destination’s favour, we will not stand in the way,” a top Tourism Department source said.

The South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum wants the Tourism Department to bear the parking charge of Rs 1.6 lakh per charter.

As for the entry fee of RS 750 per passenger in a flight, it will be shared by the hotels and resorts in which the passengers are lodged.

If for instance a resort gets 20 of the passengers from a charter, it will have to shell out 15,000 (750 x 20) of the passenger fee. Each charter, on an average, flies in 120-130 tourists.

The British charters have stopped coming for the last six years. Russian charters tested the waters for two consecutive seasons but have decided not to resume operations from the next tourism season.

“The burden of parking charges and passenger fees were mentioned by the charters as reasons for their indifference,” said Sudhiesh Kumar of Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association.

The incentive is not just to bring back the Russian charters, it is intended as a welcome sign to European charters that had long left Kovalam’s shores.

“We are trying to tell the charters that they are wanted here in large volumes,” said Jacob Plathottam, a restauranteer.  “I am sure the charter companies will respond favourably,” he added.