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Kayak expeditions expected to boost tourism in Vembanad

Saturday, August 7, 2021

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As the lakeside villages of Kottayam aims to get back from the setback due to the pandemic, tourism in Vembanad Lake is now moving over from boat cruises to self-guided kayak expeditions.

Adding a fresh layer of experience to the backwater tourism sector, the District Tourism promotion Council is launching a fleet of 26 kayaks at the SN Pavilion in Kumarakom. The agency has already invited bids from licensed operators for operating this service, which is slated to start in a few months.

“We have in hand about 30 kayaks and three Shikara boats and of these, as many as 26 kayaks, including 13 single-seaters, will be stationed at Kumarakom. Based on the response, a decision on deployment of the remaining boats will be taken later,’” said Bindu Nair, Secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council, Kottayam.

Since the kayak operations entail initial costs, the agency is waiting for the tourist footfalls to gather momentum before launching the service.

“The plan was to kick off the service with the Onam season. But in the absence of international tourists, the operations will be viable only if we have the student groups around,” said the official.

The launch of kayaks, along with other measures, is expected to boost tourism business in the region, which has come to a halt since the COVID-19 outbreak last year. The decline in business has affected the rural economy badly, leaving the stakeholders like artisans, tour guides, restaurants offering ethnic cuisine and the local transport operators in dire straits.

Authorities have also decided to reopen hill-side destinations of Illikkal Kallu and Aruvikkuzhy waterfalls in Kottayam considering the Onam season.

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