Economic Times Chennai; Date:2007 Oct 10; Section:Economy; Page Number 16 *Kerala gives 'responsible' spin to tourism*
Bindu D Menon CHENNAI KERALA Tourism is initiating steps to promote 'Responsible Toursim' in a big way. Touted as panacea to generate employment at grassroot level, it is also being looked as a potential greenbuck earner for the state exchequer. "Responsible Tourism recognises that the economic responsibility of tourism lies in its ability to generate employment, especially at the village grass-roots level. This is to be done by local sourcing of materials required by tourism industry. Social responsibility includes sensitising tourists to local norms and culture and strengthening basic amenities and social infrastructure," Kerala tourism director Sanjay Kaul told ET on the sidelines of a roadshow. Presently implemented on a pilot basis in Kovalam, Thekkady, Wayanad and Kumarakaom, Responsible Tourism encompasses the judicious use of natural resources, effective waste management practices and pollution control mechanism, he said. A 40-member Destination Management Coordination Committee was formed during the two-day workshop held in February earlier this year to facilitate Responsible Tourism. A similar international conference will be held in March, 2008. A cell comprising a team leader, project assistant and a computer expert would be set up in the Tourism Directorate at the local level in the four destinations. It would identify the social, cultural, economic and environmental indicators. Destination-level co-ordination committees and local working groups are also being set up. This apart agreements will also be signed with local service providers and tourism industry partners. This would definitely boost the to income and employment in the region. "The spin-off effect of toursim should go to the stakeholders who have to produce documentary proof to obtain incentives from the department. Local SHGs like Kudumbsree will carry out a survey on the local resource available and would also take up the responsibilty to ensure quality and timely delivery of food materials to the hotels," Mr Kaul said. Meanwhile, international tourist arrival to Kerala recorded a significant 25.8% increase over the previous year while domestic tourist arrival marked a 7.95% increase. Mr Kaul said the state government has also introduced several initiatives to sustain the tourism momentum. It has allocated Rs 100 crore as tourism budget. Of this the nodal agency has earmarked Rs 15 crore on branding and marketing initiatives, he added. Kerala tourism board is also promoting hitherto untapped areas like Malabar for enhancing its tourist base. Besides this e-research initiatives like Synergy quest — a feedback mechanism from tourist — is also being developed. On the shortfall in number of quality rooms, Mr Kaul said six new hotel projects are coming up and this will increase the strength to over 1,000 rooms in next two years. The government is also promoting the concept of homestays. It is targetting 1,000 classified homestays by March, 2008. [EMAIL PROTECTED] --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
