Iran Israel war crisis dims monsoon tourism hopes at Kerala’s Kumarakom

A file photo of houseboats plying the calm waters of Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP

As monsoon clouds darken the backwaters of Vembanad, Kumarakom’s tourism industry is keeping its fingers crossed for developments in the Persian Gulf as the protracted conflict there has halted the arrival of Arab tourists who have become the backbone of its business during the monsoon.

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After a subdued summer season ravaged by scorching temperatures, this backwater destination is now expecting a revival in July and August. Still, even as June begins, stakeholders say an influx of travelers from the Persian Gulf is nowhere in sight.

According to Manoj Kumar KV, general secretary of the Chamber of Vembanad Hotels and Resorts, changing travel patterns have added to the uncertainty. “The concept of ‘business on the books’ has almost disappeared in Kumarakom. People are increasingly planning holidays at the last minute. The movement of Arab tourists has decreased by almost one third. In addition to the war situation, high ticket prices were also a factor. At the same time, expensive international travel helps drive the domestic tourism market,” he said.

The mood in the sector is reflected in this year’s cautious approach by the Responsible Tourism Mission. The mission, which usually launches a series of monsoon-specific programs and packages, is yet to finalize its strategy for the season. “The numbers are not encouraging at all and that is one of the reasons for the delay. Fresh packages could be introduced once arrivals start improving,” said a source associated with the sector.

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With international arrivals remaining sluggish, the industry is now pinning its hopes on travelers from North India. To attract them, the premium hospitality segment introduced monsoon packages and selected experiences designed to showcase Kumarakom.

Managed packages

“We have created special packages for this year’s monsoon season. Apart from offering 15% to 20% discount on room rates, we have included Ayurvedic-focused wellness packages. These are expected to be particularly attractive to domestic travelers,” said K. Arunkumar, Manager, Premium Property, Kumarakom.

They also organized a number of monsoon-themed activities, including e-bike rides through the countryside and rain experiences by the lake.

Hotels are also targeting the corporate segment through tailor-made stay packages for businesses, in addition to special packages in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment. Several resorts have also launched honeymoon packages aimed at couples looking for a romantic monsoon getaway.

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However, not everyone in the travel industry is equally optimistic. Houseboat operators, for whom the rainy season is traditionally a lean season, do not expect any significant turnaround.

“The limited number of premium visitors who come during this period tend to stay in hotels and resorts. Therefore, we are not looking forward to this season,” said David PS, president of the Houseboat Owners’ Welfare Society.

Tourism stakeholders, meanwhile, feel that Kerala needs to do more to strengthen its position as a leading monsoon destination. “Tourism marketing in Kerala is now largely limited to digital advertisements and stakeholder meetings. There remains a significant gap between the ideas discussed and concrete actions on the ground,” said a tourism official.

Published – 01 Jun 2026 19:15 IST