Backwater holidays of Kerala are increasingly becoming popular with domestic as well as international tourists. Cruising through the intricate web of rivers, lagoons, canals and lakes is the best way to catch glimpses of the captivating sites of Kerala and has been attracting hordes of visitors. The Department of Tourism has taken the important step towards sustaining this unique tourism product by classifying these houseboats, and offering subsidies for boats maintaining excellence in quality and service.
Criteria for classification of Houseboats
A houseboat fulfilling all essential conditions prescribed by the Department of Tourism and another five of the ten optional conditions, will be awarded the status of Gold Star. Those fulfilling the essential conditions will be awarded the Silver Star.
Essential conditions for approval of Houseboats
- The general construction of the houseboat should be good; the hull and valavara should be of stable condition; flooring should be of marine plywood.
- Size of rooms in the houseboat should not be lesser than the specifications mentioned below:
- Bedrooms: 80 sq.ft. (minimum width - 7 ft.)
- Living/dining: 80 sq.ft.
- Kitchen: 20 sq.ft.
- Attached toilet: 20 sq.ft. (minimum width - 3 ft.)
- Common toilet: 10 sq.ft.
- Passages: 3 ft. wide
- Bedrooms should be provided with an attached toilet. Toilets for guests should be of Western style and should be cleanly maintained. A common toilet for the staff of the houseboat should also be provided.
- The kitchen must have provisions for protection from hazards by
- Using fire-proof materials
- Having at least two fire extinguishers
- Storage hold in the kitchen must be hygienic. Food materials on board should be packed properly and stored in a clean environment.
- Fuel storage should not be near the kitchen.
- The houseboat should have at least 2 life buoys and 2 fire buckets.
- Furniture provided in the houseboat should be of good quality.
- Clean and good quality linen and toiletries should be used. Crockery and glassware should be of excellent quality.
- Houseboats must maintain and regularly update log books and tourist records.
- Staff members interacting with guests should be in uniform.
- The boat should have obtained a valid license from the appropriate authority for plying in the backwaters.
- Name, cut number and approval number should be painted on both sides of the houseboat.
Optional conditions for approval
- The general construction of the houseboat should show distinctive qualities of luxury.
- The houseboat should be furnished with superior quality carpets, curtains, furniture etc.
- Alternative arrangements for discharging solid wastes and sewage, like scientifically designed septic tanks and chemical toilets.
- Houseboat should be battery operated.
- Provision for 24 hour electricity on board the houseboat for lights and fans.
- Provision for 24 hour hot and cold running water.
- Availability of facility for purifying water on board the houseboat.
- Provision of a refrigerator or ice-box on board.
- Arrangement for providing guests a menu of their choice.
- Staff members interacting with guests should be experienced and fluent in English.
- Houseboats approved by the Department of Tourism should fly a flag inscribed with the mnemonic of the accorded status. The flag will be approved by the Department of Tourism.
The Green Palm certification
Houseboats satisfying the essential conditions and adhering to eco-friendly measures prescribed by the Department of Tourism will be awarded the Green Palm Certificate. The conditions under which houseboats will be accorded this status are given below.
- Alternate arrangements should be made to discharge solid wastes and sewage by providing scientifically designed septic tanks or bio-chemical toilets.
- Alternate sources of energy for fuel, like solar power, to be used for heating, lighting etc.
- Arrangement of a system of separating recyclable from non-recyclable garbage. Organising the disposal of non-biodegradable garbage in such a manner so as not to harm the local environment.
- Use of paper bags, cloth bags and other alternatives instead of polythene bags, wherever possible.
- Use of recycled paper for stationery and other publicity materials.
- Use of locally available ethnic materials for construction of houseboats and furniture.
- At least 75% of the workers in a houseboat should be employed from districts of the houseboat's operation.
- Houseboats using outboard engines should acquire a pollution control certificate every three months from a competent authority.
Period of approval
- The approval will be valid for one year. The committee will inspect the houseboats every year between the months of September and October. The houseboats should be brought for inspection at the place where the committee desires, at the expense of the owners.
- The classification obtained under this scheme is not a substitute for the license/sanctions required to be obtained from the authorities concerned under the existing rules and regulations.
Statutory conditions for approval
- All houseboats approved by the Department of Tourism are required to furnish the following information:
- Document relating to legal status, i.e. if the company is incorporated in the Companies Act.
- Copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Copy of the Partnership Deed and the Certificate of Registration under the Partnership Act, if it is a partnership firm.
- Name and address of the proprietor etc., if it is a proprietary concern.
- Any license required from the Irrigation Department or other concerned authorities to ply the boat in the backwaters should be obtained directly by the promoters. The approval by the Department of Tourism will be withdrawn in case of violation of these conditions, as and when brought to its notice.
- The houseboat should apply for approval every year before the expiry of the period of validity.
- The promoter should display the approval certificate, log book, tariff card on board the houseboat. The log book should be made available for inspection when required.
- In the breech of any of the above conditions, the Department of Tourism has the right to withdraw approval.
Application procedure
Your application should be submitted in the prescribed format available at the Directorate of Tourism, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of Rs. 500/- in the form of a Demand Draft favouring the Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
Incentives & Supports
- Houseboats approved by the Department of Tourism under this scheme will be eligible for claiming 10% state investment subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs
- Support to avail loans from state financial corporations
- Concession in electricity charges
- Guidance and publicity support from the State Government
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