Houseboat operators in the famed Kumarakom backwaters say business has slowed considerably, with fewer visitors even during the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year season. Tourism stakeholders attribute the decline to soaring airfares, frequent flight disruptions and limited promotional efforts for key destinations.

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Industry representatives are urging the Centre to consider measures such as regulating airfares, easing visa approval processes, and improving connectivity through special flights and train services to help revive tourist inflows.

They are also calling for increased investment in tourism infrastructure, particularly in Kumarakom, along with stronger marketing of Kerala's houseboat experiences, which they believe have not received adequate focus in recent years.

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In the district of Idukki, home to major tourist hubs including Munnar, Vagamon and Thekkady, businesses are hopeful that Budget announcements will bring greater central funding and development initiatives to strengthen the region's tourism potential.

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Local farmers in Idukki, widely known as Kerala's "Spice Garden" for crops such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves, say linking agriculture with tourism could generate new income opportunities for rural youth while supporting the farming economy.

With the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on February 1, tourism stakeholders across God's Own Country remain hopeful that targeted policy measures will help revitalise the sector and secure the livelihoods it supports.