The port city of Kochi is witnessing a vibrant and bustling festive season this year, with a notable increase in tourist footfall. The twin attractions of the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale and the upcoming Cochin Carnival have acted as major draws, bringing a wave of domestic and international visitors to the city's shores.
Hotels Report Festive Surge Amidst Challenges
The hospitality sector is riding a wave of optimism with many hotels reporting full or near-full occupancy for the Christmas and New Year period. According to a source from the Taj Malabar Resort and Spa on Willingdon Island, there has been a 2-3% increase in room bookings compared to the same season last year. "Room bookings for this festival season have been good. Most visitors are domestic ones and it is a post-Covid scenario," the source noted.
However, the season has not been without its hurdles. The recent chaos surrounding IndiGo airlines led to a significant dent in hotel business, causing numerous cancellations for both rooms and conferences. Jose Pradeep, president of the Kerala Travel Mart Society, explained that corporate travel plans were restricted as other airlines hiked fares following IndiGo's mass cancellations. "The IndiGo fiasco affected room bookings in the city until a week ago," he stated. Fortunately, bookings saw a strong recovery starting December 23.
Fort Kochi: The Epicentre of Festive Celebrations
The historic precinct of Fort Kochi remains the undisputed favourite for tourists, especially domestic travellers gearing up for the iconic Cochin Carnival. This popularity, however, comes with familiar urban challenges. Roads leading to Fort Kochi experience severe traffic congestion during the evenings, and boat services are operating at jam-packed capacity.
In response to the crowds, the Fort Kochi Vypeen Passengers Association has demanded an extension of Ro Ro boat services from 8pm to 10pm to ease commuter pressure. The local culinary scene is also a big winner, as tourists increasingly prefer to explore authentic local cuisine in Fort Kochi's eateries over hotel restaurants. An official from the Casino Hotel mentioned, "This is a good season compared to last year. But in the case of restaurants, it is a loss since tourists explore local cuisine."
Sustained Momentum and Pricing Trends
Hoteliers are confident that the tourist inflow will not taper off immediately after New Year's. They anticipate that the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will continue to attract art lovers and cultural tourists to the city in the coming weeks. On the pricing front, the festival season has led to a slight increase across the board. Jose Pradeep clarified that this is an industry-wide trend, stating, "Regarding prices, all hotels have increased prices in the festival season. Everybody, including railways and flights, increases prices during the festival season."
The overall picture for Kochi is one of a robust recovery and festive cheer, marred only temporarily by transport disruptions. The city successfully leverages its unique cultural assets, setting the stage for a strong finish to the year and a promising start to the next.
