Tour companies urge Indian PM to act on Kerala alcohol ban
Local tour operators in Kerala have called on the Indian Prime Minister to intervene after the state recently announced a state-wide ban of alcohol indefinitely.
The Indian Association of Tour Operators say the ban will hit tourism hard in the state.
"We fear losing a substantial number of foreign tourists to neighbouring Sri Lanka," said EM Najeeb, chairman of IATO’s Kerala chapter.
IATO president Subhash Goyal added: "Though the government will still allow alcohol in five-star hotels from April next year, we need to keep in mind that not all tourists stay in five-star accommodation, so this is bound to have an adverse impact on tourist arrivals in Kerala."
IATO wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in.
"We are going to write to the honorable prime minister highlighting the challenges the state’s tourism sector will likely face in the wake of the ban," Goyal said.
Every registered bar in Kerala has received notice to cease operations by September 12, followed by the closing of all state-owned liquor shop shops over the next ten years.
The sale of alcohol will still be permissible in the state’s five-star hotels.
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