File under “If life serves you lemons, make lemonade”… “Monsoon season” isn’t a phrase that typically elicits thoughts of awesome high-season holiday fun. But if the marketers behind India’s Kerala region have their way, you’ll be living the romantic high life in between spells of pouring rain.
Rain-soaked vacations — err, “monsoon holidays” — are the latest effort to sell a low-season destination at high-season prices. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for visiting places when the crowds are missing. “Shoulder” season? I’m a big fan. And I can see the appeal of the occasional rain.
But lousy weather at a beach destination is no value. So sales pitches like this one, encouraging you to “chase” the monsoon like a tornado wonk might try to capture video of an F5, seem like a stretch.
Am I missing something?
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November 11th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Well, the rain is highly attractive if you come from the Arabian peninsula. The Dhofar province in Oman is is the only region on the Arabian peninsula directly hit by the monsoon. During the monsoon season it is highly popular with Arab tourists coming specifically for experiencing rain. Strange as it may sound.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:27 am
I would not have thought of that, Mike. Interesting!
For what it’s worth, the ad pictured above is not aimed at the Arabian peninsula, but at the Indian market. Apparently the ad appeared in the Sunday supplement of the Times of India (Bangalore Edition).
November 13th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Wow! That is interesting. It seems that travelers are looking for new experiences all the time. Savvy marketers are noticing this trend. What other experiences are possible?
November 15th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
In Australia, the “Big Wet,” seasonal monsoon-like rains in the outback and tropical northern areas, is now called the “Green Season.” And, must be because they’re trying to squeeze more “green” out of it!
July 28th, 2008 at 1:13 am
The rains are actually quite romantic on the west coast of India. What’s lousy weather in most of Europe and the US is actually a wonderful respite from the heat in the tropics. Temperatures go down to a more comfortable 15C-20C during the rain season, and that makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors with the monsoon in full blast, without the bitter cold or the fear of falling ill.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
[...] on HALF of the days of your trip. That’s a lot of rain, so don’t count on any payout. Kerala monsoon holiday, [...]