Latest poll spin: Election tourism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala tourism sector has yet again demonstrated how it keeps itself ahead of competition through sheer innovation, this time by floating an election tourism package.
The idea has already captured the imagination of European tour operators and holds great promise for the tourism sector in the state, which had 25 per cent growth last season.
The poll package, floated less than a fortnight ago by Alappuzha-based Pulickattil Houseboats involves giving a ringside view of the Indian elections to international tourists.
Interestingly, the idea came about when two clients of Pulickattil Houseboats, Bob and Kay Ryalls from the UK, wondered why there were only posters of the Left Democratic Front candidate Dr K S Manoj plastered all over a stretch in Alappuzha, giving the couple the impression there were no opposition parties.
The comment prompted Tomy Pulickattil, managing director of Pulickattil Houseboats, to launch a special election package for international tourists that would give them an experience of a lifetime, seeing how the world’s largest democracy goes about its democratic election process.
"It has been a runaway success, and we have German, English and French tourists spending up to four hours at a stretch, following the candidates on their campaign tours and listening to long speeches," said Pulickattil.
The tourists may not have votes, but enthused by their presence, Congress candidate from Alappuzha V M Sudheeran gave an hour-long election speech in English at Champakulam in his constituency for their benefit.