Chikunguniya does not affect tourism: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9: Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today informed the state Assembly that there was no decrease in the flow of tourists to the state with the outbreak of Chikungunya.

In a written reply, he said the government did not get a clear picture whether the recent outbreak of Chikungunya, a viral fever, had any impact on ''back water tourism''.

However, no foreign tourists had dropped their visit to the state, he added.

The state expected around five lakh foreign tourists during the current season and the Tourism Department had taken necessary steps in this regard, he said adding about 2.23 lakh tourists had already visited the state between January and June.

He said even as there were about 300 houseboats operating in the sector, no data about the income from these boats was available.

Since no decrease in tourist inflow was reported following the outbreak of Chikungunya, it did not affect the houseboat industry, he added.

UNI

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