Responsible tourism to be the new mantra of Kerala
After successfully positioning Kerala Tourism as a super brand in the domestic and international circuit, the state is all set to take tourism to the next level of growth by taking huge strides on sustainable and responsible tourism.
By PTI |
BANGALORE: After successfully positioning Kerala Tourism as a super brand in the domestic and international circuit, the state is all set to take tourism to the next level of growth by taking huge strides on sustainable and responsible tourism.
Sustainable and responsible tourism refers to a model that envisages the need to maintain an ecological balance, ensure that the benefits of tourism reach local people and ensures local development goes hand in hand with development of the place as a tourist hub.
"If tourism does not benefit the local populace then one cannot be considered a responsible tourist player", according to Dr Venu V, Secretary, Kerala Tourism.
The core of the strategy to implement responsible tourism is to work out a programme where a bridge could be built between the stakeholders of the tourist industry and the local population to ensure that it becomes a win-win situtation for both these parties, he said.
The responsible tourism initiative which was implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations, Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad had brought in positive feedback, he said adding efforts were on to extend the initiative to other destinations as well.
The state has also commissioned a study by experts on the impact of tourism on ecology and to work out guidelines relating to optimum visitors to an area, suggesting caps after looking at the growth trends. The study was expected to be completed in a year's time.
The focus of the strategy that is being worked out would be to try and find out ways and means in which the tourist industry could source their materials from the local population, with a view to generating more employment opportunities and to trigger economic development in the area, Venu said.
The state is in close touch with the local panchayats to set up self help groups that could work towards catering to the needs of the industry, in terms of providing artefacts, sourcing material and other peripheral needs.
Talks were also on with hotel industry to ensure that they used the service of the local populace as well as to ensure that they adopt ecology friendly ways of disposing waster. These steps would not only help in preserving the fragile ecologocial balance but also ensure that the surrounding areas were kept clean, he said.
The Kerala Tourism Deparment would organise a workshop for the hotel industry. A manual relating methods to save energy would also be circulated to the hotleiers. Tips like how to use solar energy, decrease the use of ground water, harvesting rain water, replacing bulbs with energy efficient lighting system would be given through manuals.
The state would also encourage individual hotel projects related to setting up sewage treatment plants and to ensure separation of garbage generated in the premises.
On the people's charter submitted by a local panchayat group demanding that the industry ensure local environment remains unpolluted, he said that such people's charters were taken into consideration and the state was working closely with local groups in the matter.
Sustainable and responsible tourism refers to a model that envisages the need to maintain an ecological balance, ensure that the benefits of tourism reach local people and ensures local development goes hand in hand with development of the place as a tourist hub.
"If tourism does not benefit the local populace then one cannot be considered a responsible tourist player", according to Dr Venu V, Secretary, Kerala Tourism.
The core of the strategy to implement responsible tourism is to work out a programme where a bridge could be built between the stakeholders of the tourist industry and the local population to ensure that it becomes a win-win situtation for both these parties, he said.
The responsible tourism initiative which was implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations, Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad had brought in positive feedback, he said adding efforts were on to extend the initiative to other destinations as well.
The state has also commissioned a study by experts on the impact of tourism on ecology and to work out guidelines relating to optimum visitors to an area, suggesting caps after looking at the growth trends. The study was expected to be completed in a year's time.
ADVERTISEMENT
The focus of the strategy that is being worked out would be to try and find out ways and means in which the tourist industry could source their materials from the local population, with a view to generating more employment opportunities and to trigger economic development in the area, Venu said.
The state is in close touch with the local panchayats to set up self help groups that could work towards catering to the needs of the industry, in terms of providing artefacts, sourcing material and other peripheral needs.
Talks were also on with hotel industry to ensure that they used the service of the local populace as well as to ensure that they adopt ecology friendly ways of disposing waster. These steps would not only help in preserving the fragile ecologocial balance but also ensure that the surrounding areas were kept clean, he said.
The Kerala Tourism Deparment would organise a workshop for the hotel industry. A manual relating methods to save energy would also be circulated to the hotleiers. Tips like how to use solar energy, decrease the use of ground water, harvesting rain water, replacing bulbs with energy efficient lighting system would be given through manuals.
ADVERTISEMENT
The state would also encourage individual hotel projects related to setting up sewage treatment plants and to ensure separation of garbage generated in the premises.
On the people's charter submitted by a local panchayat group demanding that the industry ensure local environment remains unpolluted, he said that such people's charters were taken into consideration and the state was working closely with local groups in the matter.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
