Rally to woo tourists back to Munnar

Various tourism trade associations organised a day-long 'Car and Bullet Rally' from here to Munnar on Wednesday to invite tourists to experience the hill station in all its grandeur, particularly after floods ravaged Kerala.

The rally was aimed at telling travellers across the world that the tourism industry of the state was back in business with renewed vigour, the organisers said in a press release here.

Munnar and Idukki were among the worst-hit in the recent floods in the state, which claimed over 400 lives.

Around 150 cars and several 'Bullet' motorcycles reached Munnar this evening after going through tourism spots in Ernakulam and Idukki districts, the release said.

President of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Baby Mathew Somatheeram and expert member of National Tourism Advisory Council Abraham George jointly flagged off the rally, supported by Kerala Tourism.

"This is a rally to draw tourists to experience Munnar and convey the message that there are no longer hurdles to reaching the place and experiencing the beautiful sight of Neelakurinji flowers blooming," the release quoted Mathew as saying.

The Neelakurinji bloom once in 12 years.