The destruction and pain left behind by the August floods are unlikely to be erased soon, but Alappuzha has shown resilience to play host to the 59th edition of the Kerala School Arts Festival. The festival is not just another cultural extravaganza for Alappuzha. It is a big morale booster and a means to change the district’s beleaguered image outside. The deluge has crippled the tourism sector.
Slow revival
Backwater tourism, a prime revenue-earner, is yet to be back on track. “After the successful conduct of houseboat rally and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake, the sector is showing signs of revival. The school arts festival will bolster our efforts to revive tourism,” District Tourism Promotion Council secretary M. Malin said.
Image makeover
After the deluge, houseboats, resorts, hotels and tour operators are in deep crisis owing to the large number of cancellations and thin inflow of tourists. Houseboat operators say only around 10-20% of boats are conducting services.
“Many believe that Alappuzha is still reeling under the flood impact and that there is a threat of epidemic. We need to send out a message that things are normal here,” says Kevin Rosario, general secretary, All Kerala Houseboat Owners and Operators Samithi.