Marking space in tourism sector: Success Story of Kudumbashree’s Snehatheeram Home stay

There exists a home stay run by Kudumbashree women in Alappuzha, one of the most popular and most visited tourist destinations in Kerala. Alappuzha, with its labyrinth, of canals, bridges along silver beach, makes for a memorable holiday. The homestay run by Kudumbashree women is offering healthy and homely food and offers a comfortable yet cozy stay for the tourists. Snehatheeram Homestay of Kudumbashree women from Alappuzha made their mark by the outstanding performance in tourism sector in the district.

Snehatheeram Home stay

The homestay is located near Perupalli Kochi Jetty at Arattupuzha of Alappuzha district of Kerala.  The home stay is run by Kudumbashree women from different neighborhood groups  (NHGs) under Arattupuzha Community Development Society (CDS), Arattupuzha being the place once was devastated during the tsunami of 2004.

What makes them different from others is not only the 'all women management', but also the eco-friendly approach of them.  Smt. Komalamma Gopi, Smt. Veena Rajan, Smt. Jisi Biju, Smt. Sunitha Biju, Smt. Suraja Rajendran, Smt. Chithralekha Suresh and Smt. Seema Udayan are the women who are in charge of Snehatheeram Homestay.

The homestay started functioning on 5 June 2014, the environment day. The home stay is constructed purely in an eco-friendly manner. ‘Punarjjani’, the organization which conducts tsunami relief activities put forward the idea of launching a home stay for finding source of livelihood. Kudumbashree extended full support for the same. As a result, the land located near Bhavatharani lagoon was took on lease for five years and the homestay was started. The cottage comprising of two bedrooms are made of teak and bamboo. Kudumbashree Mission had given financial assistance of Rs 3 lakhs and Rs 5 lakhs was taken as loan. Tourists from foreign countries, especially from France visits this place. The money received from the tourists as room rent is used for repaying the loan whereas the money received for serving the food is equally distributed among the group members. During the season time, every member will get upto Rs 15,000 a month.

Where it is located?

The Snehatheeram Homestay is located near Perumbally jetty which is 8 kilometers away from Arattupuzha and 6 kilometers away from Kayamkulam. The home stay is situated just a half kilometer away from the sea shore.

Tariff

Rs 3500 is charged for a double room per day. The charge is inclusive of the delicious food served at the homestay which includes delicious and mouthwatering cuisines including prawns. The homestay can accommodate upto 12 people. If there are more than four people, Rs 500 is charged for food for the additional number of people. Extra money is charged for pearl spot fish. Snehatheeram homestay have day trip package in which the tourist may come in the morning and leave by evening.

Snehatheeram homestay serves ethnic food and uses only organic vegetables for cooking. Fish farm is also run by the Snehatheeram Kudumbashree unit. The ethnic food served by them is of high demand for the guests. The four-day package of homestay include village walk, self-boat riding, folk art-dance programmes, meeting with Ayurveda vaidyas, coir making, Mannarasala pilgrim centre, visits to museum, Krishnapuram palace, village- community tourism, sunbath etc.  Snehatheeram homestay owns a pedal boat for cruising in the lagoon. They also make arrangements for the tourists who wish to travel by boat. Engine fitted boats will be arranged for the tourists who wants to go to the sea. Arrangements would be made for the tourists who would love to fish using traditional fishing poles. Cigarette, liquor and plastic are strictly banned inside the homestay. The Kudumbashree women themselves act as the local guides to the guests, overcoming the language barriers.

A herbal garden is also maintained by them. The social responsibility of the unit is too notable that 20 % of the yearly profit of Snehatheeram Homestay is used for cleaning activities.  The story of Snehatheeram homestay is nothing but the saga of the will power of a few women. These women had proved that there is nothing that can beat their self-confidence.