How is your lockdown going?
We are all confined at home. We have stopped newspapers even. But technology is of great help. We are able to do meetings online through Zoom and its almost as real as being in the same room. I wish we were going through this home isolation at our farm—it would have been more pleasant, but the internet is not as good. I am learning a lot of new technology!
You have seen many highs and lows over the years; is there any precedent for what we are facing with Covid-19?
What has happened is going to change everything. In Kerala, we have dealt with our share of troubles in recent years—Nipah and the floods of the last two years. earlier we faced the issues caused by the Mumbai attacks of 2008 and the 9/11 attacks and the Parliament attack in 2001. All these led to a severe crisis for tourism. If we go back further—1994 was the year of the Indian plague or Surat plague, when foreign travel came to a complete halt. That is the closest comparison I can make to what is happening now. We had commisioned Coconut lagoon in 1993 and a year after India had the plague. however, at that time something good did happen afterwards. until then, Indians mainly travelled to hill stations. After the plague the Gujaratis discovered the backwaters and other Indians followed. Domestic tourism really took off.
But, this time it goes beyond what we saw during the 1994 plague. I have to reach for stories that I heard of the 1918 Spanish Flu, plus all the plagues that took place in all the centuries before that. It took generations to recover. This pandemic and impact can only be compared to those events.
Kerala was ground zero in India with the first cases showing up there. What has the response and impact been like in Kerala?
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Temple Trail In Bali
The allure of this Island lies in its people and the culture it embodies
THE Snake WHISPERER
SNAKEMAN ROMULUS WHITAKER'S MEMOIR TAKES READERS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS LIFE, DELVING INTO HURDLES SUCH AS HABITAT DEGRADATION AND CULTURAL DISPARITIES CONCERNING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
TIMELESS BENGALI CUISINE AT AAHELI
A culinary oasis nestled within the iconic Peerless Hotel on Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Aaheli is known for an exceptional dining experience
HOW GREEN IS GREEN?
THE PHENOMENON OF GREENWASHING INVOLVES DELIBERATELY FALSIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREEN CREDENTIALS OF A PRODUCT, SERVICE OR COMPANY. WHAT CAN TRAVELLERS, THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND TOUR OPERATORS DO TO FLUSH IT OUT?
IMMERSIVE UNSEEN INDIA
HAVE YOU EVER GONE FORAGING IN THE DESERT? OR LEARNT POTTERY WITHOUT A POTTER'S WHEEL? ON YOUR NEXT TRIP, TRY SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE
DISCOVER STUNNING ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS IN TAMIL NADU
Experience the wonders of nature and wildlife while being mindful of the surroundings by visiting these amazing ecotourism destinations
AT HOME IN SPITI
AMIDST SPITI'S TOWERING PEAKS AND BARREN LANDSCAPES, THESE HUMBLE ABODES SERVE AS BRIDGES BETWEEN CULTURES, FOSTERING MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS
In the shadows of the high Himalayas, take a slow, green holiday this summer... Along the way, discover why eco journeys are much more rewarding than you thought!
TEA, TATTOOS, AND TRADITION
PHEJIN KONYAKWHOSE ANCESTRY TRACES BACK TO HEADHUNTERS-RUNS THE ONE-OF-A-KIND KONYAK TEA RETREAT IN NAGALAND
THREADS OF CHANGE
In an exclusive interview, Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director of Jaipur Rugs, shares the story behind the brand, his journey and more
