Kalpetta: In a bid to revive the local tourism industry, Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook, encouraging people worldwide to visit Wayanad and support the local community, which was impacted by the Mundakkai landslide near Meppadi on July 30. While coffee remains stable, other crops in this agrarian region have been facing price drops or reduced harvests due to unfavourable climatic conditions. Over the past two decades, tourism has helped supplement agricultural income, providing livelihoods in various allied sectors.
These activities include driving, housekeeping, shopkeeping, cooking homemade food, and selling agricultural products like spices and handicrafts. In his heartfelt Facebook post, which featured a video on the voices of those reliant on tourism for their livelihood, Gandhi reassured travellers: "Wayanad is still vibrant and welcoming." He added, "Wayanad’s beauty is undeniable, but it is the compassion and kindness of its people that have always drawn me to it.
" Highlighting the economic strain, he mentioned that many people who depend on tourism are looking for support. "Although the recent tragedy affected only the Mundakkai area, it has led to the misconception that all of Wayanad is impacted, causing a significant decline in tourism," he explained. Gandhi urged travellers to visit Wayanad to experience its beauty and help revive the tourism industry, rebuild livelihoods, and restore the region's vibrancy.
The video featured.