Alappuzha: According to statistics released recently, Alappuzha has earned the distinction of hosting the third largest number of foreign tourists in Kerala. However, even when it attracts such significant numbers of visitors from abroad, the infrastructural and other facilities related to tourism leave a lot to be desired.
Safety and hygiene
Foreign tourists give much importance to safety, hygiene and effective intervention by the authorities. The failure on the part of the officials to issue licences to all the houseboats is a major drawback. It is also pointed out that on holidays, at the wheel of the shikara boats are students and others who lack the necessary licence.
Even though there are numerous houseboats which offer services that match the tariff, some are found wanting. Even the DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) admits that certain houseboats have failed to achieve the required standards regarding technical aspects and conduct of the staff. Employees who have not been given professional training give a bad name to the tourism sector of Alappuzha. This has forced the DTPC to consider a plan to train houseboat staff.
The problem of middlemen
Tourists to Alappuzha often face difficulties which are caused by middlemen, who are present at all levels. Moreover, this menace is getting worse by the day. Demands have been made to control and keep a watch over such people. However, no measures have been launched by the authorities.
Homely stay
Home stays are the first choice of accommodation as far as foreign tourists are concerned. DTPC officials say guidelines regarding the functioning of home stays are issued regularly. Inspections are also conducted alongside. Still, some operators resort to unprofessional conduct.
M Malin, DTPC secretary, says that setbacks occur to Alappuzha’s tourism sector owing to the presence of middlemen and badly maintained houseboats. Regular inspections can solve these issues, he feels. In fact, a system should be set up for combined inspection of houseboats, hotels and homestays, Malin added.
Alappuzha tourism statistics for 2018
Total foreign tourist arrivals – 95,522
Domestic tourists – 5.11 lakh (8 % increase over 2017, when 4.33 lakh travellers arrived)
Month which witnessed most arrivals – December with 70,922 (18.25 % rise compared to December 2017, which saw 59,978 visitors)
Least number of visitors – August with 25,953. This is 15.34 % less than 30,654 tourists in 2017.
Travellers who visited only Alappuzha during their trip to Kerala – 3.99 lakh; 21.62 % rise (In 2017 the figure was 3.28 lakh)
State from where highest number of tourists arrived – Tamil Nadu (50,741)
State which sent least number of travellers – Mizoram (43)
The number of people belonging to other districts of Kerala who enjoyed the sights of Alappuzha – 2.37 lakh
