New Boat service Scheams

Tourism-Department of Tourism-Scheme for approval/classification of House Boats �Approved � Orders issued.

 General Administration (Tourism-B) Department

G.O(MS)No.323/2000/GAD. Thiruvananthapuram, Dated 3.4.2000

Read:   Letter No. C3-7541/98 dtd. 15-12-99 from the Director of Tourism.

Order

Among the various new tourism products, houseboat cruising in the backwaters have become the USP of Kerala. During recent times the number of houseboats have proliferated and reached a figure of more than 100 numbers during the last 3 years. There have been some complaints regarding the upkeep and maintenance of some of the houseboats operating in the backwaters.

2. At present there is no system to control the quality of the house boats such as quality of materials of construction, facilities including size of rooms, quality of furniture, quality of services or the safety & security measures offered by the house boat operators. Considering the sustainability of this unique tourism product and the fragile backwater environment, it is very essential to bring out an approval scheme by the Department of Tourism, to ensure proper quality of vessel, facilities provided services offered and safety & security measures undertaken in the boats classified by the Department. It is also found necessary to grade the houseboats with respect to the quality of facilities and services so that interests of tourists can also be protected. With this objective, Director of Tourism has conceptualized a scheme to grade the existing house boats which maintain the quality standards into Gold and Silver Star categories and also to give Green Palm certificate as a symbol of eco-friendliness to those house boats which adopt environment friendly practices in its operation.

3.      Government have examined the proposal in detail and have found it necessary to maintain high quality standards so that the image of this innovative product is not adversely affected. Government are therefore pleased to approve the appended scheme for approval of House Boats operated in the backwaters of Kerala.  

4.      Government also order that only the house boats which are approved by the Department under the scheme will be eligible for 10% State investment subsidy contemplated in G.O(Rt)No.14/98/GAD dtd. 12-11-88.

            By Order of the Governor
            AMITABH KANT            Secretary to Government

To

             The Director of Tourism             The Managing Director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation             All District Collectors             The Accountant General (A&E/Audit) Kerala             The Finance Department
             The Industries Department             The Public Relations Department             The General Administration (Tourism-A) Department SE/OC.

        
            

Forwarded/by Order                                                             Section Officer

CLASSIFICATION SCHEME FOR HOUSEBOATS The houseboat holidays of Kerala are increasingly becoming popular with domestic as well as international tourists. Consequently, the number of houseboats plying the backwaters of Kerala have increased dramatically. So much so that there is an urgent need to evaluate the safety and service standards of houseboats and classify them accordingly. This will be the first step towards sustaining this unique tourism product.� This booklet has been designed to give you a clear idea of how houseboats in Kerala will be classified - an initiative that will once again make Kerala a pioneer in the tourism industry in India so far as emphasis on quality goes. 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 good condition; flooring should be of marine plywood.   Size of rooms in the houseboat should not be lesser than the specifications mentioned below: Bed rooms  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   Bed rooms 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. 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 out board engines should acquire a pollution control certificate every three months from a competent authority. Procedure of approval   Every person intending to start operations in the backwaters of Kerala should, if desiring to get classification, apply for approval to the Department of Tourism in the prescribed form. Those already operating houseboats should apply for the approval if they desire to get classification from the Department of Tourism. The application form is available at the Directorate of Tourism free of cost. The applications duly filled should be addressed to the Director, Department of Tourism, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram.   A fee of Rs. 500/- per houseboat should be enclosed with the application form by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of the Director, Department of Tourism, payable at Thiruvananthapuram.   Unless the application is rejected, the Director of Tourism will issue a certificate of approval to the houseboat operator, on the recommendation of a committee. The committee will give the recommendation after inspection of the houseboat. Members of the committee are: * Director of Tourism (Convenor) * Representative of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) * Representative of Approved & Classified Hotels Association of Kerala (ACHA) * �Two members nominated by the State Government   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 promoters should furnish a declaration accepting the regulatory conditions to be abided by the promoters of approved houseboats in the prescribed form. Govt. subsidies and licenses   Only the houseboats approved by the Department of Tourism under this scheme will be eligible for claiming 10% state investment subsidy, eligible as per G.O. (P) No.14/ 88/ GAD dated 12.11.88.   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.