Kochi: A large number of tourists coming to Kerala on a shoe string budget to visit maximum places at minimum expense are in for harrowing times.

Most of these tourists are mainly from overseas and have to struggle for lack of support offered by the tourism department which repeatedly makes tall claims of providing all facilities for tourists.

Ernakulam Boat Jetty is one of such key point from where tourists can take government-operated boats to tourism destinations of Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Vypeen and the like.

Though boats are available at regular intervals, there is no one present at the boat jetty to provide information on must-see destinations.

Tourists throng the office which has a big tourist help desk board displayed at the portal. Those reaching there would be disheartened to see a closed counter and are left to collect details from the public, some among who could be touts.

The tourism department had outsourced the desk to a private agency run by one Varghese. He has displayed his contact numbers for the tourists to call him and seek his help.

When contacted by The Covai Post, Varghese said he could not turn up today due to some personal reasons.

One side of the path to the help desk is dumped with garbage. Tourists and locals feel it is high time the entire tourism operations were outsourced to professional agencies.