Tourist hassle rubs sheen off Varkala

Thiruvananthapuram: Frequent incidents of crime and harassment involving tourists are raising concerns over the safety and image of Varkala, one of Kerala’s premier beach tourism destinations. Stakeholders have warned that such a situation could adversely affect the coastal town’s appeal among domestic and international visitors.As per police records, there has been a steady rise in tourist-related complaints, from 15 cases in 2024 to 20 in 2025. This year, eight complaints have been registered in the first six months. The latest case involved the arrest of a private resort security guard for allegedly flashing women tourists from Hyderabad near Papanasam beach.The growing number of complaints has drawn attention to the absence of functional CCTV surveillance network in key tourism zones.

Cameras installed at major locations, including Cliff, North Cliff, Helipad, Papanasam and Black Beach, are presently defunct, said tourism department sources.“Cameras installed in these locations were stolen. A proposal was prepared to reinstall CCTV cameras at important tourism spots. However, the project couldn't proceed due to code of conduct for assembly elections. Recently, a meeting was held with the municipality, wherein assurances of reinstalling cameras soon was given,” said a tourism official.

Lack of surveillance infrastructure remains a matter of concern when Varkala is witnessing a steady increase in tourist arrivals, said police. They pointed to the growing presence of unregistered tourism operators and stressed the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms.A senior police officer said the tourism hub required better public infrastructure and improved coordination among departments to ensure visitor safety. The absence of facilities such as public toilets and waiting sheds makes it difficult to manage large crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons, the officer said.Tourism stakeholders said incidents involving visitors could have long-term repercussions, especially in the social media era. They said strengthening surveillance systems and addressing safety concerns would be crucial to preserving Varkala’s reputation as a preferred tourism destination.“Lack of basic infrastructure and safety measures makes tourists vulnerable. If a visitor has a bad experience, it is posted online immediately and reaches thousands of people. That can affect Varkala’s image as a tourism destination,” said Baby Flavour Welben, proprietor of KeralaToursGlobal.com.Varkala faces growing competition from destinations like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, which attract tourists with better infrastructure, stronger safety measures and competitive travel costs, Welben added.Responding to the concerns, Varkala municipal chairperson Geetha Hemachandran said steps were being taken to restore CCTV coverage in major tourism zones.