Backwater tourism in Kerala fearing another blow due to spike in COVID-19 cases

Published on : Monday, April 12, 2021

The backwater tourism sector in Kerala has barely recovered from the devastations brought about by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it is apprehending another blow due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

With a dip in tourist flow, the stakeholders fear that the second COVID-19 wave would spell doom for the sector, which had faced numerous impediments in recent times like Cyclone Ockhi, the Nipah outbreak, floods and the pandemic.

Sagar S., a houseboat owner in Alappuzha, said that he is finding it difficult to keep the business afloat in the face of persistent setbacks. “After the COVID-19-induced lockdown, the sector was on the path of revival. We did some good business during the Easter period. But with COVID-19 rearing its head again and the government tightening restrictions, we are now a worried lot. Any lockdown like in the previous year or halting of houseboat operations will be the final nail in the sector’s coffin,” opined Mr. Sagar.

The houseboat sector was among the very first ones to come to a grinding halt after the outbreak hit early last year. The houseboats remained anchored for more than six months before the Kerala government allowed the sector to restart operations in October 2020. Due to lack of foreign tourists, the sector is depending on domestic tourists for survival, with a majority of them coming from the Malabar region.

Kevin Rozario, a houseboat owner, who is also the general secretary of the All Kerala Houseboat Owners and Operators Samiti, said that there are hardly any enquiries or bookings currently.

Besides houseboats, shikara operators, homestays and hotels too are concerned about their future.

“There were signs of revival. But the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the business into crisis. We do not expect a rise in business activity any time soon,” said Tomy Thomas, the managing director of Arcadia Regency, Alappuzha.