Kerala Hit By Foreign Tourist Cancellations Despite No Omicron Cases

While international tourists in Kerala have seen a dip of 91.22% compared to 2020, the southern state has reported a 14% increase in tourists from other states.

Apprehensions triggered by the very infectious Omicron variant of coronavirus have resulted in cancellations by a number of foreign tourists to Kerala.

"My loved ones say that I should come home. The initial plan was to be on holiday for two months. But now with Omicron, I don't know, I may return in one week. I am yet to decide but am closely following the news", Tony Norgreem, a solo traveler from Sweden, said.

Mr Norgreem had reached Kovalam on November 28, days before the checks for Omicron had begun or cases confirmed beyond South Africa. His initial plan was to stay for two months, but now, he says he may have to cut short his travel and is tracking the news daily.

Popular tourist locations in Kerala have also largely remained empty of foreign tourists despite the peak season. The only relief is the increasing trickle of domestic tourists.