The association says that the recent decision would adversely affect backwaters tourism
Kerala Houseboat assocoation says that the recent decision would adversely affect backwaters tourism. (Photo: DC/File)
ALAPPUZHA: A statement from All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association (AKHOA) against phased prohibition has triggered a fresh row over the legality of drinking while on a cruise. The decision would adversely affect backwaters tourism, it said here on Wednesday.
Government guidelines on alcohol use in backwaters tourism are already in place. A committee headed by Tourism Secretary Suman Billa, which was set up on February 25, 2013, in the wake of a tragedy that took place on the Republic Day of 2013, which claimed the lives of four tourists, had instructed that the houseboat industry be kept out of the influence of alcohol.
AKHOA general secretary N. Sreekumar refuted the guidelines saying that liquor was barred to houseboat workers only while they were on duty. Tourists, who often carried alcohol in their luggage could not be barred from drinking and enjoying the cruise.
Most of the suggestions made by the 10-member Government panel on February 25, 2013, have not been implemented. One of the suggestions was to issue boarding passes online and through terminal counters.
The boarding pass system can access the complete details of those who are on board houseboats. Currently, there is no effective system to know the details of the passengers or the crew. In 2011, the then District Collector, P.Venugopal enforced a strict ban on liquor in houseboats to ensure safety during the monsoons. But it was never observed.
Meanwhile, the District Tourism Promotion Council blasted the statement issued by AKHOA. “It’s an absolute violation of security guidelines. Nobody has been given consent to use liquor on board houseboats. If they go forward with their claim, we will sue them”, the council said.
Reacting to the press release, Tourism Secretary Suman Billa said houseboats were running cruises without abiding by Government guidelines. Around 13 unlicenced houseboats were seized in a recent raid. Though there were over a thousand houseboats there, only 630 had valid registrations. “We have decided to conduct raids to check whether liquor is being served in houseboats”, he warned.
( Source : dc )
Next Story
