Tourism in Alleppey

The theme for the 2019 MBA Study Tour was ‘India: A Land of Contrasts’ and the first day was a poignant case study of this in regards to the tourism industry.

We were fortunate to have Associate Professor Arun Elias as our host, facilitator and cultural ambassador for this trip. Originating from Kerala (or ‘The Land of Coconuts’), Arun has seen firsthand the evolution of the state as it has promoted itself as a domestic and international tourism destination. On day one of the tour we were hosted on a houseboat in Alleppey, which the locals call ‘The Venice of the East’. From the comfort of the boat we had an interesting perspective of the contrasting positive and negative impact of tourism on the region.

Hundreds of these houseboats lined the canals, providing much needed jobs and income for many operators including hotels, travel agents, souvenir shops, bus companies and eateries.  We were told that the boats are a popular honeymoon destination for many couples from the northern part of India and not necessary locals. However as we were travelling in the off-season, due to the harsh summer heat, many boats sat idle.

We saw the development of the waterways and the fresh water Vembanad Lake, providing an idyllic setting for houses and tourism services. However, we also observed the water pollution and rubbish that the boats create. One question that remained unanswered was what happens to the toilet waste from the boats? The impact of this pollution on the local residents is significant, many of whom wash their clothes and source water from the canals to drink. We were told that any marine life, once an important food source, has now vanished. It didn’t seem to deter a group of boys from swimming in the water to escape the heat of the day.
These issues have already caused many local residents to leave the area as the negative impacts and shift in employment opportunities, means the region is no longer supporting their needs. Unless regulation, collaboration and the development of waste infrastructure is evolved, the industry is not sustainable and will continue to cannibalise the land and people it seeks to showcase.

There were serious questions to be asked about how much of our payment for the boat tour actually went to the people working on the boat, preparing and serving our lunch and driving the boat; and how much was pocketed by agents and other middlemen. Health and safety was also questionable with a stack of life jackets piled in a corner, still in their original plastic packaging.

While Kerala offers a range of tourism activities, it is hindered by its transport infrastructure. In all the time we travelled, even on the backroads, you can’t go more than 200 metres without seeing a building of some sort or having to dodge pedestrians, cyclists, other cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.  Using indicators appeared to be optional and a working horn is all that is needed to signal passing, overtaking or just generally venting frustration.  At night, the use of high-beams is also used in the same way as the horn.

Despite these reflections, today’s activities were a charming and fascinating introduction to our tour and a chance to observe some of the beautiful dichotomies of this land firsthand.