Monsoon showers business for Kerala houseboats

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Alappuzha, Kerala, Jun 25 (UNI) Stay in a houseboat and listen to the music of rain drops falling on the unruly backwaters of Kerala.

Thanks to a massive monsoon tourism campaign by the state government, houseboat tourism has received a shot in the arm, turning the off-season into a period of brisk business.

''There was only 35 per cent occupancy in the houseboats during the last monsoon, always viewed as off-season.

''However, bookings are above 50 per cent during this season, already,'' said Honey Sreekumar, Managing Director of Aria Holidays and Resorts, which has six houseboats, almost fully booked for the season.

With the state agressively marketing the monsoon and hotels in all prominent destinations offering special packages, the season has turned into a boom time for the backwater tourism industry this year.

Even during the peak season, from November to March, the average booking for the houseboats was around 60 per cent. With the ten-year-old industry witnessing a boom in the last five years, there were around 300 houseboats operating in the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts.

With innovations incorporated fast, the houseboats have come of age to extend star-luxury aboard. Business conferences, honeymoon, marriages, film shooting, writing and even important talks are happening in the houseboats now.

Compared to three-star lodging in a resort, stay in a good houseboat comes cheaper, prompting some visitors to stay afloat upto a month sometimes. Every day, the industry reaps about Rs 20 lakh during the high season, it is pointed out.

''For those who want to enjoy the fury of monsoon, a ride in the rain aboard a houseboat should be an unforgettable experience,'' says C N Sreekumar, a professor at the S D College here, who has been studying backwater tourism closely for long.

Vembanadu and Punnamada lakes may look bit furious in heavy rains coupled with storms as houseboats cut their way through the high tides, but they can indeed present one of the rarest views to the visitors, he said.

Be it a light shower or a downpour, the lakes and rivers have varied looks. The palms on the shores add to the panoramic views of the God's own Country.

''Marvellous,'' quipped Ravikant from Mumbai summing up his feelings in a word after his ride on a rainy day. However, he said he was bit nervous in the beginning as the tides were high.

But as the travel progressed, he calmed down and enjoyed it.

Aria Holidays and Resorts, planning to boost its fleet strength to nine during the next season, is in the process of making the largest houseboat now.

They are also bringing out a houseboat, modelled after Kerala's traditional homestead ('Nalukettu') with 70ft length and 35ft width.

The boat operators hope for a better season next time as this time visitors came without any special promotion by the operators.

However, the state government had mounted a massive campaign to sell the monsoon with different concepts like rain walks and Ayurveda treatment.

And all tourists in Kerala do not want to miss a ride in the backwaters.

UNI JA RR GC1027

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X