Kerala government's Tourism Department is worried at the steady decline in number of tourists to the state--most migrate to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
According to the government tourism director Mr. P.Bala Kiran,the main problems cited by tourists visiting the state, according to the New Indian Express newspaper, are: mounds of uncleared garbage, frequent strikes (called hartals) and poor condition of most roads. In recent months, campaigns have been stepped up especially in London, against what activists say is cruelty to elephants. The pachyderms are used widely by Hindus, Muslims and Christians in religious functions. The activists allege that the animals are treated cruelly and paraded without adequate food and rest -- a charge that the owners deny.
The government's Tourism Department--tourism is the second biggest money spinner for the state--is worried at what it calls negative publicity and has countered it with a series of videos showing that the animals are cared for properly and rules are being followed more carefully these days, according to the newspaper.
It quoted the president of the Confederation of Tourism Industry, Mr. E.M.Najeeb as saying that the recent rapes of an eight-year-old in Kashmir and a woman in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh--one of the nearly 28,000 rapes in the country--has resulted in many European countries issuing travel advisories to their citizens to be cautious while travelling to India.
Flash strikes--sometimes held a few hours after announcement--result in a total paralysis of transport, total shutdown of restaurants and shops, museums and offices, all of which make it difficult for tourists to move around, sometimes even reach their own hotel.
The treatment of the elephants has escalated in recent months, with a large campaign being held in the UK, the latest of which was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited London a few days ago.
