Varkala: The Varkala beach or the Papanasam beach is almost vacant these days. Covid-19 has taken a heavy toll on the tourism sector here leaving thousands of vendors in debt.
95 percent of the foreign tourists have returned. Most of the shops and resorts are closed down as domestic tourists too are hesitant to visit amid the pandemic.
Around mid-March, an Italian tourist in Varkala tested Covid positive following which the town never really revived from the impact.
Usually the tourism season in Varkala starts from November to May which this year was affected heavily by the pandemic and lockdown.
Most of the shops run on rented buildings and had spent lots of money on decorations and other items to attract tourists. But nothing paid off as now there are only a few stray dogs wandering around the beach.
V Joy MLA said that the issues faced by people connected to tourism sector have been brought to the attention of the government and needful will be done.
Dr Sanjay, Varkala tourism associate advisor opined that after preparations are to be done to reopen the beach after September 15. He also demanded to appoint sub-collector rank official here to coordinate tourism activities. Health tourism should be started, he further stated.
