The flood-hit tourism sector in the district is slowly limping back to normality. On Friday, a batch of 10 students from Turkey enjoyed a houseboat cruise on the backwaters of Alappuzha. The visitors were welcomed by Tourism Deputy Director Abhilash Kumar.
Officials said that around 10 houseboats and shikara boats had conducted services on Friday.
The houseboat industry suffered huge losses after the backwater tourism sector came to a standstill following floods.
The entire bookings, including during the Onam period, were cancelled.
Meanwhile, District Tourism Promotion Council secretary M. Malin said that things would soon become normal. “The tourism sector had played a major role during the crisis. We have saved several lives using houseboats, motorboats and shikaras.
The 400 houseboats used for flood rescue operations in Kuttanad have now been returned to their owners. The tourism sector will start functioning normal from September 1,” Mr. Malin said.