THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Tourists, especially foreigners, had a dismal day on Wednesday thanks to the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
A majority of them at various destinations across the state had just one option: Sit quietly at the hotel, where they could at least have their food, thus losing out on a valuable day in their packed itineraries, reports The Indian Express.
Naturally, the hotels and tour operators, also had a tough time with their guests’ itineraries all in tatters. “Nothing could be done, except advising them to postpone their sightseeing trips for another day,” said a tour operator based in the capital.
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“We had around 12 foreign tourists as our guests, and they were unhappy when they came to know about the withdrawal of the high denomination Indian currencies. We did offer them currency for use outside the hotel on transfer of their money into the hotel account, but no one availed it,” said an official at Vivanta by Taj, in Kovalam.
But, many foreigners were seen roaming around in Kovalam and Fort Kochi with a dismayed look on their face when they realized they will not be able to buy even lunch from a local restaurant.
“With the start of the season, foreign tourists are already there at all destinations including Munnar and Kumarakom. The situation was similar everywhere, tourists unable to buy food or handicrafts and their sightseeing trips either cancelled or postponed,” said president of Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry EM Najeeb.
