The Hindu Business Line : `Lake Princess' set to sail thru backwaters

`LAKE Princess', the sailing resort owned by the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), is all set to sail through the backwaters of the State in the New Year.

The catamaran, refurbished by the KSINC, is to offer various packages for individuals and families with boarding facilities for 16 persons in a voyage. The tourist boat, which was in a dilapidated state, was taken over from the Tourism Department and reconstructed at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.

Mr K.N. Satheesh, Managing Director, KSINC, told Business Line that marketing of the cruise had been planned in line with the Nile River Cruise to attract foreign tourists. The corporation has formed a separate wing in association with tour operators for marketing its various cruises. Already, 10 firms are there both in the State and outside working as general sales agents of the company.

The new vessel will be operated in the inner backwaters covering the stretches of Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes. The rates have been fixed at Rs 3,000 per head including food for an overnight stay.

It is a fibreglass boat with two hulls to provide better stability and more comfort to the tourists. All the six rooms are air-conditioned with two rooms four bedded and others two bedded. The interior of the boat is so designed to give special ambience to feel like star accommodation. A well-furnished modern kitchen is also provided on board to cook food for the guests. The cook and other attendants on board are professionally trained to cater to the needs of the passengers.

The toilets are fitted with bio-degrader and bio-nutroder, which is eco and environmental friendly. The Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology have approved the technology, as it protects the fish wealth in backwaters, he said.

KSINC has now entered the spectacular avenue of water-linked tourism to provide coastal backwater splendours of Kerala. The objective is to utilise the vast potential of backwater tourism by embarking on various tourism related activities linking resourceful waterways. Sagara Rani, the first vessel launched by the corporation a year ago, has proved to be a success with full bookings in the season. It is the only cruise vessel in Kochi taking guests beyond the port limits into the sea to experience the thrill of sea journey as well as the beauty of sunset closer, Mr Satheesh said.

According to him, various firms have now started approaching KSINC to conduct backwater cruise. Recently, it had received an enquiry from a private ship broking firm to run a floating hotel in the sea.

The floating hotel with a capacity to accommodate 220 passengers will be deployed in the sea. However, the corporation has not taken any decision in this regard, he said.