As war clouds recede, Kerala looks to an influx of Arab tourists in monsoon season

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective. First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming. Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day. Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features. With the signing of a new agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, Kerala, a favoured destination among Arab travellers, is gearing up for an influx of visitors as the summer vacation season begins across West Asia and the monsoon sets in over the State. Arab tourists comprise a significant proportion of international visitors to Kerala’s tourism sector, particularly in the wellness and leisure segments in the months of June, July and August months. However, the West Asian conflict, subsequent airspace restrictions, and soaring airfares had affected tourist movement for several months. The sector is now buoyed by the end of the conflict and the onset of the monsoon season in Kerala, widely regarded as the best time to experience the State’s enchanting landscapes and rejuvenating wellness therapies, including Ayurveda. Tourism stakeholders expect the ongoing season to attract large numbers of visitors seeking holistic healing and relaxation. Speaking to The Hindu, Rasheed Kakkad, president of the Association of Arab Tour Operators, said there has been an uptick in enquiries from GCC countries over the past couple of weeks. “Unlike tourists from Europe or the Far East, Arab tourists arrive in large numbers and spend nearly four times more than an average European visitor, significantly benefiting the local economy,” he said. “For instance, while a European tourist spends around $850 during a visit to Kerala, an Arab tourist spends nearly $3,500. Moreover, Arab tourists often travel in groups ranging from four to six members and sometimes even 30 to 40 members, whereas European tourists usually travel alone or in groups of two or three,” Mr. Kakkad added. This is also the period when temperatures in GCC countries often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, making Kerala’s cool climate and monsoon charm particularly attractive to travellers. According to Sajeev Kurup, general secretary and president of the Ayurveda Promotion Societ