The message: Kerala is now ready to receive you
A strong rebound from the tourism sector will trigger a positive perception of the state and attract investments
Kerala tourism is one of India’s biggest success stories. The calamitous floods that Kerala had to face are certainly a huge setback to its tourism sector, but adversity also spawns an opportunity for us to press the reset button: to rethink, innovate, change and emerge stronger.
Tourism, the most significant economic activity of the state, accounts for more than 10% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at ~33,383 crore and 23.5% of its total employment. Along with the pressing need of rehabilitating its population, Kerala needs to revive its vital economic activities in order to kick-start the economy. A strong rebound from Kerala Tourism as the most significant sector of the state’s economy will have an exaggerated positive impact on the revival of other sectors.
In order to achieve a quick bounce back, work has to centre on the three pillars of infrastructure, public perception and marketing.
On the infrastructure front, it is essential to quickly restore key utilities such as road connectivity, power and water for tourism establishments. The government should hand-hold the industry in ensuring timely settlement of insurance claims and accessing loans from banks for refurbishment as well as working capital needs. The entrepreneurs should also utilise the opportunity to rethink and improve the product in line with changing consumer expectations. It also allows the state and the industry to recalibrate themselves to align with the objectives of environmental and community commitments, including job creation.
Tourism is in many ways akin to showbiz and the success or otherwise of destinations depends upon the way public perception is managed. An image of a weak, helpless state wallowing in sorrow and waiting for succour will be counterproductive. Instead, it should project an image of a strong Kerala on the rebound and emphasise upon the gains made. Indeed, a resilient state, purposefully rebuilding itself, would make for a better case for attracting funding and assistance rather than a floundering one.
A catalysing marketing strategy is essential to ensure that the season is not entirely lost and send out a message that Kerala tourism is back in business. The government and the industry must announce an early date for a “Kerala is Ready to Receive You” day. A creative campaign showcasing the state’s important destinations after rebuilding and inviting visitors should be amplified across media platforms, especially digital and social media.
In the immediate season, Kerala should moderate prices and offer incentives to business partners for attracting tourists without compromising upon the value proposition or its perception as a premium destination. Every morning we get up to experience another chance to live. Very few of us find our way into the realm of happiness. We keep ourselves engrossed in our daily schedules to an extent that we fail to recognise our strengths and weaknesses. It is basically an art to groom ourselves on a daily basis. Our predetermined set of activities leave no room for it. In order to follow a self-development technique, we need to understand a simple formula of five steps that can bring about a