Kochi to benefit from move to open Lakshadweep islands

KOCHI: Kerala tourism might benefit substantially with Lakshadweep administration planning to open 12 of its islands for tourism with the central government’s support for luxury tourism for Indian and foreign travellers.
Majority of the tourists to Lakshadweep take a route via Kochi since an Air India flight flies daily from Kochi to Agatti, apart from ships that ferry people to and from Lakshadweep.
“The development of tourism services and infrastructure in the islands means a denser traffic to Lakshadweep, which will go through Kochi and other cities of Kerala. The tourist influx to the islands significantly contribute to the tourism in the state as the tourists normally spend 3-4 days in destinations like Munnar included in their itinerary to Lakshadweep,” said Mobin S S, tour operations manager, STS Travels, Kochi.
The proposed development of another airport in Minicoy is not expected to affect the air traffic to Lakshadweep via Kochi significantly as the construction and expansion of a full-fledged airport would take time.
“The topography of the islands won’t support the development of an advanced airport which can handle the air traffic on its own, which implies that airport here would have a fair share in the same, reflecting in the boost of Kerala tourism as well,” Mobin added.
Till date, the tour operations to Lakshadweep were handled by only a few agencies due to the complications involved in the travel documents to the islands.
“Availing of documents required for touring the islands needed permits and sanctions from the island administration, which is a tardy process. However, if as many as 12 islands are opened exclusively for tourism, it is expected that the procedures will be relaxed, thus aiding more tour operators to be involved in Lakshadweep travels,” said Jinoy Paul, a tour operator based in Kozhikode.