Homestays catch up in Kovalam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new trend has emerged in Kovalam. Tourists are turning away from big hotels and resorts and seeking the cost-effective comforts of homestays and service apartments,commonly called ‘alternative accommodation’.

Major hotels and resorts in the beach destination, which traditionally enjoyed near-100 per cent occupancy during peak tourism season, have witnessed a 50 per cent drop in occupancy during the peak season. The Government feels that the fall in occupancy is the result of an increase in accommodation facilities. “A surge in supply,” is how tourism minister A.P. Anil Kumar put it. The minister said that there had been a huge increase in the number of rooms in the last five years.

Since no big properties have come up in Kovalam during the period, the inference is the increase in rooms is accounted for by the increase in homestays and service apartments in the area. Joseph Xavier, the general manager (sales) of Emerald Villas, is wary of the supply-surge argument. Nonetheless, he feels that some foreign tourists were preferring homestays and service apartments over resorts.

According to Jose Panavallil, the MD of Green Cruises, tourists opt for homestays not during their first but in their subsequent visits. “During their first visit, we have found that some of our foreign clients do a recce of the Kovalam backyard. They get introduced to homestays and other alternative accomodations. If they like any of them, they enter into an advance agreement to visit the place the next time they arrive in Kovalam,” Mr Jose said.