Kumarakom, the famed backwater tourism hotspot in Kerala, is fast moving forward to become an international Model Responsible Tourism (MRT) destination.
The Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) is providing equal importance to social, economic and environmental aspects at the four centres selected in the State for conversion into MRT destinations.
Various local agencies such as panchayats, local community, tourism industry, NGOs will be actively involved in formulating strategies to promote RT initiatives in select areas.
S. Harikishore, Director of Kerala Tourism, said that the main strategy is to create a sustainable tourism destination with the support of tourism stakeholders. Each stakeholder will be given the responsibility in making tourism sustainable on the economic, socio-cultural and environmental fronts, he said.
Four destinations in the State were identified for implementing the RT initiative. Wayanad, Thekkady and Kovalam are the other three. It was decided to elevate at least one destination into the level of international model and Kumarakom was chosen. The approval from the State Tourism Department has been received in this regard, he said.
The project has so far succeeded in creating visible benefit to the local community on economic and environmental fronts. However, efforts will be needed to promote local production, micro enterprises and value-added products that could be linked with the tourism industry so that the community can derive economic benefit out of it.
A production system was designed and implemented at Kumarakom, which will ensure regular supply of products that are daily demanded by the hotels, resorts and other accommodation units.
Apart from Kudumbashree groups, Karshaka Samithis (farmers’ groups) were newly formed and encouraged for homestead farming. The issue of non-availability of land for cultivation was sorted out by the RT project team through discussions with land owners to get the land on lease, he said.
A total of 168 acres of land, which was left unused with the advent of tourism in Kumarakom, has now been developed for cultivation. Fish culture is also being promoted here in association with the Grama Panchayat.
While developing tourism, it is imperative that utmost care is taken to conserve the social and cultural aspects. Steps have been taken to ensure conservation of art and culture as well as providing facilities to the local community members for their skill development as well. Kumarakom has gone a long way ahead of other destinations in practising responsible tourism. Now it is time to emulate this successful model to other parts of the State and beyond, Harikishore said.