House Boat stays a pleasurable experience for tourists

Kumarakom, Kerala, Aug 14 (UNI) A House boat cruises through the backwaters presents a pleasurable experience for tourists even during the off-season here.

The vast, serene, picturesque and safety, backwaters gives a memorable experience to tourists whose numbers are increasing day by day.

Ever since the visit of the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, there has been an unending stream of tourists. Earlier the rush used to be limited to the October-March season but now even during off-season, tourists prefer to stay in these boats.

''Even though the weather was bad it was an excellent experience'' was the opinion of Mr Putuzzo from Paris who visited here and stayed in a house boat with family members.

Tourists were also much attracted by the food served in House Boats.

''Very pleasurable experience, crew was helpful and food was excellent'' said Mr Martin Sheller from Britain on his stay in a house boat owned by the Evergreen Tours.

Gods own country had given some memorable experience to Rajeev and his wife from Karnataka who stayed in a House Boat under a honeymoon package.

The number of tourists visiting Kumarakom, a byword for backwater tourism is increasing year after year. The increase was estimated at around 20 per cent every year. To cope with the increased demand and to attract more tourists, the house boat owners are introducing new boats and renovating the existing ones, House Boat owners Association President Alex George said.

Following healthy competition in the industry more than 90 per cent of the existing 300 odd House Boats had acquired the Gold star status. Gold star is the specification stipulated by the government for promoting environment friendly Backwater tourism. The Boats under the category were environment friendly and not polluting the backwaters. Staff and crews were given periodic training for exhibiting good hospitality. ''Crews were very helpful'' was the general opinion of tourists.

House Boat stay was a nice experience for Mr Sandeep Kulkarni and family from Pune. Food was excellent, he said.

Fresh food is served in the Boats according to the choice of the tourists. The tourists prefer to cruise through the lake and narrow canals. A glide through the backwaters in a traditional House Boat provides some memorable experience to them. They normally prefer local cuisine, Mr Alex George said.

Travel agencies are providing honeymoon packages. Several people from North India are visiting Kumarakom under the package. House Boat owners are arrange warm reception to such couple. Flower bedecked bed rooms in the House Boat and other arrangements are normally a surprise for the couple, a House Boat owner said.

AC and Non AC boats are available according to the demand of the tourists. To avoid unhealthy competition and to keep the industry viable, the state government should cancel or reduce the luxury tax imposed on House Boats, Mr George opined.

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