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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025