Alappuzha pips Colombo in attracting foreigners

A group of 60 tourists from the UK landed here on Sunday. After taking a boat ride in the Vembanad Lake, they returned to Kochi by the evening to board the luxury liner, Herbidan Spirit, on which they had arrived.

The group had originally planned to visit Goa, Kochi and Colombo, but following the last week’s disaster, Colombo was replaced by Alappuzha.

While there are safety apprehensions in Kerala as well, it’s being considered the safest among all Asian destinations.

‘‘I cannot say that I am not afraid, but we have learnt that Kerala is safer. And after arriving here, I don’t feel that I have missed out on anything by not going to Colombo,’’ said Catherin, a member of the group.

Another group of 15 tourists from Switzerland is scheduled to arrive in a couple of days.

While this trend has provided hope to the tourism industry that all is not lost, an official warning of a second attack has come as a blow.

‘‘After the warning, 15 to 25 per cent of the bookings have been cancelled. We have suffered huge losses as this is the peak season,’’ said Zachariya, a partner of Lake and Lagoon Tours.