India is blessed with places and sights that are always a traveller's delight. But, if one would reckon the recent trend of tourists and travellers flocking to lesser-known destinations in India, it has got lots to do with one of India's popular and accomplished travel writers Mr. Hugh Gantzer. Travellers developed a liking for these destinations after reading his travelogues, which has an uncanny knack of explaining things unheard and unseen in an impressive manner. 

Visiting Kerala recently was homecoming of sorts for Mr. Hugh Gantzer, who along with his wife Colleen Gantzer, also a famous travel writer, had earlier spent some of their memorable days in Kerala. The couple now lives in the lap of the Himalayas in the State of Uttaranchal. 

Sharing his fondest of thoughts on Kerala with us, during the recently held Kerala Travel Mart in Kochi, Mr. Gantzer said he was most fascinated by the people of Kerala than any other aspect. "The people of Kerala are the most fascinating aspect for a visitor to the State than your backwaters, elephants, and hills". And to the question why they are fascinating? Mr. Gantzer says that the people of Kerala are extremely well informed. He had spent so many years in Kerala and has found the people very friendly.

Mr. Gantzer emphasized the people factor by saying, "you take out your people, and you won't have the incredible experience of Kerala".

When we drew his attention to his travel stories on Kerala, Mr. Hugh Gantzer opined that, his writing on Kerala is an unfinished agenda. Even though he had wrote travel stories on Kerala, especially on religious dances of North Kerala, it wasn't enough. He expressed his desire to visit the region to spend some more time to understand the rituals and dances in detail. Mr. Gantzer specifically wants to observe in detail, the situation where the dancer goes into a trance, when he is supposed to be possessed by the deity, during the course of the ceremonies.

As a travel writer, with a keen sense of various elements contributing to the popularity of a destination, Mr. Gantzer lauded the unique exercise of public and private sector participation in the tourism industry of Kerala. Events like the biennial Kerala Travel Mart are fine examples of this joint venture, says Mr. Gantzer.

According to Mr. Gantzer "the pace at which Kerala Tourism is moving right now is excellent; don't rush". Among the new tourism avenues in Kerala, Mr. Gantzer cites plantation tourism as one such area, if promoted at the earliest, would become another reason for travellers to pack their bags and visit Kerala in the coming days.

Before saying adieu to us, Mr. Gantzer summed up his innate feelings on Kerala in three words…… "Green, Friendly & Unusual".