'Visit Wayanad' campaign: Wayanad Tourism reopens its doors

KALPETTA: Even though landslides occurred in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas, which are in three wards of Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad district, there is still an impression in Kerala and outside that Wayanad is completely destroyed. This news was a setback for the Wayanad tourism sector. However, DTPC, tourism organizations and entrepreneurs came up with the 'Visit Wayanad' campaign when survival became a necessity. The campaign has also taken over social media.

Banasura Sagar, which was closed due to the landslide disaster, reopened last day. Although the visitors were few, it was a new beginning. The authorities opened the closed tourist centres in Wayanad a week ago, but the visitors are reluctant. This was the situation in Wayanad in the beginning even when floods, Covid and Nipah happened. The tourism sector of Wayanad district is in total crisis following the Mundakkai and Chooralmala landslides. This stillness is at a place where thousands of tourists, including locals and foreigners, used to climb the pass every day. Various forms of aid are pouring into Wayanad from across the sea and from outside Kerala to help the affected people. Rehabilitation is the main issue at hand now, which is being taken up by the government. However, this hilly district, which was dependent on tourism, needs to be revived.

Wayanad entered the tourism sector in 2000 following the collapse of the agricultural sector. Today Wayanad's shopkeepers to big resorts depend on tourism. There are about five thousand small and big resorts, homestays and hotels in Wayanad. Wayanad tourism was adversely affected earlier when there was a landslide in Puthumala. It was only when Wayanad started slowly recovering from it that the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster happened. The impact of this tragedy has shaken the lives of the entire people of Wayanad. Tourists have to climb the pass. Wayanad should wake up. Efforts are needed for that.

"Everyone should work together to bring back Wayanad tourism. Wayanad should be raised to its former glory. "

KR Vanjeeswaran,

President,

Wayanad Tourism Organization