ALAPPUZHA: Kerala, God’s own country, is expecting to receive a robust inflow of Bengaluruans this winter with bookings from Karnataka seeing a surge over last year.

According to tour operators in Karnataka, a surge of 67% in bookings is seen as compared to last year. To make the season more memorable, the industry has designed romantic houseboats packed with lots of facilities and services.

Tomi Pulikattil, a houseboat owner, says that a honeymoon was not only meant for newlywed couples, but all couples. “Houseboats are decorated so that each couple could romance under the star with candlelight dining. Rooms are well furnished and luxury-loaded”, he says.

“The people from Bangaluru have already started flocking to Alappuzha to enjoy the winter. Every day, the industry reaps over Rs 40 lakhs during the season.

This time considering the favourable situation in others States, we have launched campaigns targeting young couples”, he says, adding that they had chalked out a special scheme providing memorable treatment for each and every couple.

Switten George, another houseboat owner, says the IT crowd, particularly from the southern states, had shown a fascination for the backwaters, opting for a honeymoon on houseboats.

“We are getting a number of enquiries for honeymoon packages this time round. An attraction for techies to go on a honeymoon on the vast expanse of Vembanad Lake is that it ensures that the company will not ask them to return urgently back to work since a houseboat can take quite a while to touch the shore”, he smiles.