Middlemen fleecing tourists in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: The middlemen are making a killing by fleecing the tourists in Alappuzha. They charge hefty amounts from those wanting to cruise in houseboats and pay only a nominal amount to the houseboat owners.

The middlemen and agents have a strong lobby enjoying political patronage and the police refuse to take action against their illegal activities, it is alleged.

Several instances of fleecing were reported during  the last two tourist seasons. A tourism police official said,  “even if they are taken into custody, they get out using their political clout.

Last week a middleman attacked a houseboat owner for questioning his illegal activity. But, he did not register a complaint due to the fear of retaliatory attack by the middlemen lobby.

The middlemen charge huge amounts from the customers for bookings and give only a portion to the houseboat owners,” he said.

Last July, an agent charged Rs 60,000 from a group of tourists from Malaysia for a ride, while the owner was given only Rs 20,000. During Mahanavami, Rs 22,000 was extorted from a North Indian couple by an agent for a single bedroom houseboat which plies for just Rs 7,500.

When the tourists  asked for the facilities promised by the agent, the crew members were helpless as they were charged for only a normal ride, he said.

“If the tourists try to lodge a complaint with the police, they will be threatened by the gang,”  the official said.

Mr N. Sreekumar, general secretary, All-Kerala Houseboat Owners’ Association, said the district administration should intervene in the issue.

“Last year, we had registered a case against a middleman, Syam, who attacked an association member, but the police did not take any action,” he said.  Middlemen were not authorised to fix the rate for houseboats and tourist boats, he added.

Mr C. Pradeep, secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council, said that a caution board was erected near the DTPC office requesting customers to use a prepaid counter.      

“The police and officials concerned have been instructed to carry out surprise raids. The tourists are not interested to file complaints fearing the wrath of middlemen. The council will take action if complaints are received,” he said.