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Kerala Resumes Houseboat Services To Promote Tourism After A Long Gap Of Suspension

by Tania Tarafdar
Kerala Resumes Houseboat Services To Promote Tourism After A Long Gap Of Suspension

Despite the surge in COVID-1i cases, the government has rep[ened houseboat services to boost tourism in Kerala. The houseboats went out of service in Kerala because of unpredictable lockdowns and travel bans across the country. Kerala has been witnessing a boom of tourists as the houseboats are the heart of the state.

The loss that the travel industry incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is irreparable.  And while many tourist places were shut all across the country, the Kerala houseboat sector has been facing heavy financial distress. In Fact, Kerala’s houseboat owners’ association in Alleppey houseboat owners’ marked May 1 as a ‘black day’ and also staged a protest at Alappuzha’s finishing point to highlight their struggle.

The Second Wave Left Houseboat Owners In Deep Financial Distress

The second wave and the lockdown in Kerala have left many in the Kumarakom area in deep debt. The Kumarakom popular for its backwaters, houseboats, vacation retreats, and bird sanctuaries attracts thousands of tourists every year. However, with the ongoing pandemic and the deadly second wave, all activities in the area have essentially halted. Bored Of WFH? Work From A Hotel In Kerala With This Hotel Package From IRCTC.

The Houseboat Administrators Have Debts To Repay

This has affected the economy of the whole economy of the Kumarakom region where tourism is the major income source for the locals. Apart from the resort owners and staff, the pandemic has hurt laborers and craftsmen, and fishermen. Earlier, inns, resorts, and homestay generally bought a significant amount of the catch but now, there is no business. The administrators of houseboats now have debts to repay.

Also read: KM’s Green Island Resort In The Backwaters Of Kerala Is Perfect To Disconnect From Humans

The Loses Of Second Wave Will Be Drastic

Besides, most resorts have cut down on rents to lure travellers. Even when tourism opened up after the first wave, the retreats saw customers only during the weekends. While the Christmas and New Year season saw some tourists streaming in, it was not enough to mitigate the losses from the first lockdown. With the second wave, tourism has come to a complete halt and locals fear that the losses will be drastic.

Also read: Book This Stunning Private Island In Kerala Backwaters At Just ₹13K For A Secluded Getaway

The government should waive all fines and fees for the next two years to protect houseboat tourism. But despite repeated requests, neither the state nor the union government has given a satisfactory response. Currently, the houseboat owners are relying on finding business outside Kumarakom with no tourists in the picture.