Alappuzha: The house boat sector is set to welcome the New Year with gala celebrations. The police have banned all programmes after midnight, said Mr E.M. Shajahan DySP, Alappuzha.
The demonetisation has not affected the industry much, according to Tomi Pulikattil, a houseboat owner. “The tourists are pouring in as usual. We have organised DJ parties on board the houseboats,” he said.
The tourists would also be made to use the houseboat kitchen where they can cook their favourite dishes.
Switten George, another houseboat owner, said most business transactions are done through plastic money now. A single-bedroom houseboat journey overnight would cost Rs 10,000. The cost doesn’t matter for the tourists who want to enjoy on board the houseboats, said sources.
The District Tourism Promotion Council has organised a beach festival. The US accounted for highest share of tourist arrivals followed by the UK and Bangladesh in November, according to an official release.
Most foreign tourists visit Alappuzha to see its backwaters and enjoy houseboat cruising. The industry is expected to reap over Rs 4 crore per day this week.
