Kerala - Alappuzha   

Move to export houseboats to UAE

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, OCT. 14. After vessels from Beypore, it's the turn of houseboats from Alappuzha to conquer the hearts of the people of Arabia. According to sources in the houseboat industry here, businessmen in the tourism industry in the Middle East were evincing interest in exploiting the potential of Kerala's houseboats.

Muhammed Muneer, managing partner of Travelcap— an Alappuzha-based tour operating company which owns houseboats here, said his company had received enquiries from a UAE-based business group about the possibilities of exporting houseboats constructed here.

Mr. Muneer said Mehmood Muhammed, a UAE-based businessman, had already visited Alappuzha for the purpose and had reached an understanding with his group.

UAE team's visit

The deal would be finalised in December when a UAE business team visits here, Mr. Muneer said. ``Since there are no backwaters in the Middle East, the houseboats which would be exported from Kerala would be utilised as sea-faring vessels,'' Mr. Muneer said.

These houseboats would be anchored in shallow seas there and would function as floating hotels. Discussions were on with shipping companies regarding transportation of the houseboats from Alappuzha. He said it was expected that the first houseboat from Alappuzha would be exported to UAE in the next year.

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