State govt sets new standards for classification of houseboats

Thiruvananthapuram: The state tourism department has revised the two decades-old standards set for classification of houseboats in the state “to reflect the current aspirations and expectations of the tourists, the latest trends in the industry and contemporary aspects of eco-friendliness and responsible tourism”.
Under the revised scheme approved by the state government, house boats operating in the backwaters of the state will now be classified as Silver, Gold and Diamond vessels, replacing the existing categories of Silver Star, Gold Star and Green Palm. A revised house boat classification/inspection committee with the tourism director as chairman and convener has also been formed.
“As per a survey conducted by the department last year, there were 758 registered houseboats operating with a licence from the port department in the state. Our aim is to classify all such licenced houseboats by end of this year,” tourism director P Bala Kiran told TOI. The classification, based on the fulfilment of required criteria in the checklist of facilities, will be valid for two years.
The survey conducted in Alappuzha and Vembanadu Lake, in fact, had covered a total number of 901 houseboats, and tourism department were able to install GPS machines in 752 out of the 758 licenced boats.
Despite existence of a classification guideline, not a single house boat has got categorized since 2011, owing to various procedural and technical reasons, said the tourism director. “There were a request from the industry for a revised scheme and a simpler evaluation method. Now, having received the government approval, the classification drive will begin soon,” Bala Kiran said.
The revised classification/inspection committee will have the port department director/representative, RT Mission state coordinator, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) secretary/representative and Food Craft Institute/IHMCT representative as members and a minimum three panellists will be required to make the quorum to constitute the committee.
Among the documents to be submitted by the boat owners/operators along with the application for classification are licence from the port department, the legal status under Companies Act, police clearance certificate, pollution control board certificate, third party insurance of travellers and staff, and fire and safety certificate.