Keeping fingers crossed

KOCHI: Even though the tourist arrivals as part of FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Kochi is not as expected, the hotels and homestays still harbour hopes that the numbers might increase once the matches begin this week. During the Dussehra holidays, the hotels and homestays in Kochi were full thanks to the domestic tourists from North Indian states. The authorities expect the trend to continue till Diwali.K S Shine, tourism information officer said campaigns, mostly via online, has been on for past several months to attract tourists to Kochi for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. “The hotels and homestays are providing special packages to attract tourists from abroad. Tour operators too are providing extended tour packages. Some homestays in Fort Kochi have begun getting bookings,” he said.

According to him, the homestays and hotels are also promoting other destinations in Kerala to woo tourists who will arrive for the  event. “We want those tourists to stay for a while and visit other tourist destinations like Alappuzha, Munnar and Thekkady. The tourism sector will certainly benefit from the World Cup,” he said.The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has also made arrangements to promote tourism in Kochi during the Under 17 World Cup matches. 

“Once the matches kick off, there will be an increase in the number of tourist  arrivals. As far as DTPC is concerned, we are organising several cultural events across Kochi during the World Cup matches. Already an event is on at Durbar Hall Ground. Another will commence at Changampuzha Park,” S Vijayakumar, secretary, DTPC, said.When Express contacted a number of hotels and homestays in Kochi, they said the foreign tourist arrival for the World Cup is low.  “Since its tourism season, we are expecting more foreign tourist arrivals to various destinations.

These tourists might also come to watch the football matches. The bookings from those arriving to watch football matches is less. There are fans who travel with national teams. But since it is only the Under- 17 World Cup, the number will be less,” M P Sivadathan, director, Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society (K-HATS) said.