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Planning to holiday in Kerala? It's almost houseful

Friday, 10 December 2010, 15:59 Hrs   |    25 Comments
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Planning to holiday in Kerala? It's almost houseful
Thiruvananthapuram: Tourists hoping to usher in the New Year amid Kerala's laidback charms would do well to have a plan B ready - if they haven't booked already. Most hotels, resorts and even houseboats are sold out for Christmas, and only divine intervention can get you a place in 'god's own country'.

As a result of the holiday rush, tariffs have touched stratospheric levels. Plush resorts in the backwater havens of Alappuzha and Kumarakom are charging upwards of 75,000 a night for the New Year eve.

Likewise, travel agents too are running from pillar to post to get reservations for their clients at premier destinations like Kovalam, Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Thekkady and Munnar.

Tomy Pulikattil, who owns a dozen houseboats in Alappuzha, said anyone who manages to book a houseboat now should consider himself extremely lucky.

"We are finding it hard to accommodate people who have not made a booking. The peak season would begin from Dec 20 and continue till the first week of January. We are fully booked and now people are calling us daily to see if there have been any cancellations," Pulikattil told IANS.

Alappuzha, popularly known as the Venice of the East, has the largest concentration of houseboats, numbering more than 400.

Tariff for the peak season has gone up by 25 percent. A two bedroom houseboat would cost you about 20,000 a day.

Tourism has become one of the biggest money spinners in industry-starved Kerala. The tourism department says both foreign and domestic tourist arrivals for the first half of this year have shown a rise.

Around 335,000 overseas tourists arrived here till June 2010, a rise of 13.9 percent over the corresponding period last year. Domestic tourist arrivals too grew by 5.59 percent to reach 4.1 million.

No wonder hotel and resort owners are in a festive mood.

"All our rooms have been fully booked for the second half of this month and so is the case with resorts in and around Kovalam. Unlike in the previous season, this time we feel that there are more domestic tourists," said K. Sudish Kumar, who owns a premier resort at Kovalam beach.

"Moreover, we hope the rains lashing the state halt briefly so that tourists can enjoy the beaches."

However, tour guide Koshy John sounded a word of caution, saying the lingering effects of economic slowdown were still visible.

"The free flow of foreign tourists that was visible from the end of November last year has not happened this time. But I am told that foreign tourists' January bookings look healthy," he said.

"On its part, the state government also should promote newer destinations because the premier destinations are choked during the holiday season."
Source: IANS
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Reader's comments(25)
1: contact www.keralasiyaha.com to get a good tips to visit kerala
Posted by:anas - 16 Dec, 2010
2: I am a personalized lifestyle coordinator and take care of cusotmized bookings of my clients holiday and event needs. I have some very good Kerala Packages with airfare included in the range of Rs.24,000/- to Rs.28,000/- perperson for 6 nights / 7 days in 3*star hotels with breakfast and transport for the month of december 2010. If anyone is intd do let me know ASAP.
Posted by:Kishore Vittal - 14 Dec, 2010
3:
If there are any packages of that sought do reply me to.
ravindra Replied to: Kishore Vittal - 17 Dec, 2010
4:
Can you please send the details of package from hyderabad including air fare ?
Durgarao Allada Replied to: Kishore Vittal - 15 Dec, 2010
5: This because,tourist are not venturing in to the other unexplored spots in Kerala,especially those in Malabar ,like Wayanad,Nelliyampathy,etc.Most of them want to go to Munnar,Kumarakam,Thekkady etc.This is an opportunity for Malabar businessmen to flourish.
Posted by:Mohd salim - 13 Dec, 2010
6:
True....there is a great opportunity for Malabar tourism to grow
Chris Replied to: Mohd salim - 14 Dec, 2010
7: check out @ Mahumethu (madhumethu.com) for some best last minute deals of 2010!
Posted by:Vacations - 13 Dec, 2010
8: hello, if you would like to enjoy your xmas and new year in Alleppey , call me i have rooms available both for x mas and new year prices starting @ 13000 to 25000 , also r you looking for a hosueboat reach me you can have a luxury boat @04 start resort and premium houseboats . 9611007216 or 8129838862 or
Posted by:Pradeep - 13 Dec, 2010
9: Can anyone tell me if it'd be good to go on a house boat during rain or will it better during summer nights?
Posted by:Arka Guhathakurta - 11 Dec, 2010
10:
Hello,
you can go ahead and book a houseboat unless and until its rain so heavily with wind. regular rain or wind wil not affect houseboat .but if there is so heavy rain it will affect and houseboat cannot move on lake. if nay quires call me
@ 9611007216 or 8129838862 thanks pradeep
Pradeep Replied to: Arka Guhathakurta - 12 Dec, 2010
11:
hi i heard somebudy telling water Stinks like sort of fishy smell can't able to tolerate in night times is it true...let me know..thanx..
buahan Replied to: Pradeep - 13 Dec, 2010
12:
not at both, i went with some chill climate, it was really good, but after a time period it is boring, because they will stop the boat at some destination when the light becomes dark, but the newly married couples can enjoy alot.
Suresh Replied to: Arka Guhathakurta - 12 Dec, 2010
13:
If it is not windy, and if the rains are moderate, I recommend you. The monsoon rains has a special enchanting beuty of its own!
Jay Replied to: Arka Guhathakurta - 12 Dec, 2010
14: Is this a mallu paper or some editorial staff is?, it seems so, lot of stories are biased...not a good read.
Posted by:simpleman - 11 Dec, 2010
15:
simpleman is too simple and narrow minded
Star Replied to: simpleman - 12 Dec, 2010
16:
come on! please grow up. Kerala too is part of India. why is ur blood boiling? consult medics
Jay Replied to: simpleman - 12 Dec, 2010
17: We'd ensure your wish to visit Kerala happen. Reach us to ensure your lot to explore Kerala http://www.gatewaymalabar.com/
Posted by:Zubair - 11 Dec, 2010
18: What is mentioned is very much right. It is better to book everything in advance. For example even getting a train ticket is quite difficult now as advance booking is 3 months. Moreover with Christmas/New Year around the corner, it is better to book hotels/tickets in advance.
Posted by:Venkatesh Iyer - 11 Dec, 2010
19: 75000 a night? I have once enjoyed house boating at 14000 a day in Alappuzha.
Posted by:Prasad - 11 Dec, 2010
20:
Prasad,

If you read closely, Its Plush Resorts @75k/night for New Year's and not houseboats - "Plush resorts in the backwater havens of Alappuzha and Kumarakom are charging upwards of 75,000 a night for the New Year eve."

2 Bedroon Houseboat peaked at 20k - "Tariff for the peak season has gone up by 25 percent. A two bedroom houseboat would cost you about 20,000 a day."
Gaurav Gulati Replied to: Prasad - 11 Dec, 2010
21:
Oh thats too much ..... I have enjoyed 5 Star House boating at 7000/- a day.. it was awesome but the place they halt at night is not that good.
Krish Replied to: Prasad - 11 Dec, 2010
22:
Prasad,

Can you please give me the contact details of 5 star house boat where you stayed at just Rs. 7000/- a day?
Prashant
Prashant Replied to: Krish - 12 Dec, 2010
23:
It’s worth visit wayanad, there is a new resort called vythiri meadows(www.vythirimeadows.com),wayanad is still virgin and There are lots to explore , I experience the best time there ..............
Mohan Replied to: Krish - 12 Dec, 2010
24:
Is waynad is safe for the first time visit for honey Moon Couples, Because i heard its like forest and not safe for going alone as a new couple
Suresh Replied to: Mohan - 12 Dec, 2010
25:
If you are going to book things in advance things will be fine.Follow the instructions given by the authorities....Everything will be safe.
John Replied to: Suresh - 12 Dec, 2010
Beautiful and dress selection, please go to Dresses
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