Alappuzha is an important tourist destination in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked.It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Quilon to the South.A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons,it was described as the one of the places known as the Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. Hence, it is known as the Venetian Capital of Kerala. Malayalam is the most spoken language. Hindi, English and Tamil are also spoken in the town. Alappuzha is an important tourist destination in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Quilon to the South. Alappuzha is the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race,held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the most competitive and popular of the boat races in India. The district is a widely known tourist destination and is well known for its Coir factories. Most of Kerala’s coir industries are situated in and around Alappuzha. Other attractions in Alappuzha are Alappuzha Beach, offering a views of the Laccadive Sea, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica, Arthunkal, Mannarasala Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Mullakkal Temple, Edathua Church, Alappuzha CSI Christ Church and Champakulam Valia Palli.