Hop-on Hop-off Services to Propel Water Tourism

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

ISSUE: 253

SEPTEMBER 2014

Kerala Tourism will take efforts to explore possibilities of water tourism in the State. As a prelude to this, it has been decided to launch ‘Hop-on Hop-off’ boat service and water taxis on the backwaters of Kochi and in the Muziris region, which is an integral part of historic spice route. The Hop-on Hop-off service is the first of its kind in the country.

One of the flagship projects of Kerala Tourism under the Mission-676 programme of State Government, the boat services is expected to give a fillip to water-based tourism in Kerala. Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL), a government of Kerala undertaking has been entrusted with the operation of boat services. The boats can ferry 25 tourists and water taxis six and are air-conditioned.

Operational during the daytime, the tourists will be offered a single ticket to board the boats and can visit places like Marine Drive, Bolgatty, Vypeen, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry any number of times during the day. The tourists can get down at these places and board the boats after exploring the tourist attractions. And when it comes to water taxis, they will operate on a point-to-point basis and can be hired by making a phone call; just like call-taxis.

Kerala Tourism has also decided to brand these boats with works of local artists. The young talented artists in the age group of 18 to 45 years from the State can participate. The selected signature works will be developed into vinyl stickers enough in size to cover the exterior of these boats.

For details visit, https://www.keralatourism.org/paintings4branding/