** Shares of tourism operator Kelsian Group KLS.AX fall as much as 21% to A$2.860, their lowest since April 2, 2020

** Co posts ~29% drop in HY statutory NPAT to A$20.1 million ($12.77 million)

** HY underlying net profit after tax and before amortisation also down 7.9% at A$39.7 million

** Trading volumes nearly 2x the 30-day average of 565,763 shares

** Stock worst performer on ASX 200 benchmark index .AXJO

** Stock down ~21.3% YTD, including day's moves

($1 = 1.5743 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru)

((Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com;))