Owing to huge demand for accommodation in the Konkan strip, especially during holiday season, the MTDC is planning to increase the number of houseboats to four from two at the popular holiday destination
If you are planning a trip to Tarkali for the sandy beaches dotted with tall coconut trees, be read for a surprise as the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has planned to introduce two houseboats in October.u00a0The two houseboats -- Savitri and Sindhukanya -- are air-conditioned and fitted with all the luxuries that tourists would want to experience.u00a0
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Sail Away: The two houseboats -- Savitri and Sindhukanya -- areu00a0air-conditioned and will offer all the luxuries that tourists would want to experience on a holiday. Pic/Sachin Thakare
Nayna Gurav-Bondarde, Regional Manager of MTDC said, “Savitri is ready however Sindhukanya’s work is in the last stage right now. I am sure it will be able to make it to the October deadline.”u00a0MTDC opened bookings for Diwali and year-end holidays on August 14 and resorts in Tarkali are almost 90 per cent full.
Ourists enjoying a fun day at the beach. File Pic
“Beach resorts and houseboats are a great combination. This is one of the main reasons why tourists prefer Tarkarli to other beaches in Konkan,” said one of the official’s of MTDC.u00a0With this, the total number of houseboats at the spot will be increased to four in order to make sure that it can accommodate more tourists.u00a0
Love is in the air
Travellers, especially honeymooners would benefit through the combination of existing beach resorts of Tarkali and the newly added houseboats to the adjacent Devbaug region. u00a0“I am getting married in December and since I have heard a lot about Tarkarli, it will be the first destination for my honeymoon. Though I was thinking of booking rooms in October, but when I checked last week on MTDC’s website I found that all the rooms in the MTDC facility are fast filling up,” said Pushkar Borkar, an IT professional who has already made arrangements for his stay at the beach resort and wishes to spend the last day at the houseboat.u00a0
The houseboat service is operational between October 10 and May 25 and is shut for the rest of the year due to monsoons. Though MTDC increased the number of houseboats from two to four, the tourist department is not thinking about offering concessions to travellers. However, owing to the large demand, rates have been hiked compared to the last two years. A day’s stay at the houseboat may cost you about Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per night during the winter season. u00a0
Konkan beach resorts 90% full
Most beach resorts, especially the ones owned and operated by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in the Konkan strip were 90 per cent full within the first two weeks since they opened for bookings. The popular destinations among tourists are Tarkali, Ganpatipule and Harihareshwar. MTDC opened bookings of winter season starting October -- for Diwali and Christmas break -- on August 14. The MTDC’s website has been getting tremendous response from travellers across the country. “Resorts in Tarkarli, Ganpatipule and Harihareshwar are almost 90 per cent full between November 2 and 10. The resort at Ganpatipule has total 150 rooms. But hardly any rooms are available during this period. Same is the case with Tarkarli with only four rooms to go out of the 30 odd cottages,” an MTDC booking official in the city said. Currently, MTDC owns and operates four beach resorts at Tarkarli, Ganpatipule, Harihareshwar and Velneshwar.
Rs 8k-10k Cost of houseboat for a night
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