Today is World Tourism Day

aKerala joins other destinations in observing World Tourism Day on Saturday with success in taking tourism to the local level and it becoming a building block of sustainable development.

The much-lauded Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative has come into focus, as the theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism and community development-focussing on the ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities.’

The consolidation of tourism’s economic influence has built up its social responsibility, and this can be seen in the stronger mandate given by Kerala to the tourism sector in economic and development policy planning.

“Only with the participation of the people can we find more suitable ways to develop tourism in our State while remaining a global leader,” says Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar.

The RT initiative, launched in 2007, has been identified as a global model for promoting community-based tourism activities in developing countries.

Capacity-building

The comprehensive skill/capacity building programme through the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has enabled the local community to take a proactive role in the tourism business. As many as 1,958 people have been trained as part of the RT initiative.

Village Life Experience packages, Ethnic Food Restaurant, Performance of Cultural Groups have brought home more than Rs.3 crore to the local community.

More than 3,000 community members have directly or indirectly benefited from the project.

Tourism Secretary Suman Billa is hopeful that the State can gift more ideas and models to the world for sustainable tourism development and make the world a better place to live.

The official celebrations will be in Guadalajara, Mexico, and coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of UNWTO statutes on September 27, 1970.

Kerala Tourism has organised photography and out-of-the-box idea contests on the occasion. KITTS, the nodal agency of RT, is organising a gathering of RT stakeholders at Kovalam.

A public awareness programme at Shanghumughom and seminar and quiz at Thalassery and Kochi have been organised.

The ATTOI is organising a seminar on community development through Ayurveda tourism.

The Hindu -   http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/responsible-tourism-in-focus/article6451752.ece., September 27, 2014

Responsible Tourism to spread wings

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The Hindu The Kerala tourism department's stall highlights village-oriented and community-based tourism at the Kerala Travel Mart. Photo: Vipin Chandran

The tourism department had adopted a three-pronged strategy in promoting RT with equal focus on economic, social and environmental aspects.

Broad basing its Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, the Kerala tourism is all set to add another 50-odd panchayats to its existing RT destinations by the end of this year.

The Department of Tourism has already identified 114 panchayats across the State as potential RT destinations. “Resource mapping of these panchayats is underway and selected ones would be brought under the RT initiative,” K. Rupesh Kumar, state coordinator, RT Cell, told The Hindu at the Kerala Travel Mart.

At present, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Ambalavayal and Vythiri in Wayanad, Bekal, Kovalam and Kumbalanghi are being showcased as RT destinations. The classification of hotels and resorts based on global sustainable tourism parameters is already underway at these destinations.

Already 13 resorts at Kumarakom, the pioneer in RT and winner of the coveted UNWTO Ulysses Award for innovation and public policy in governance under the tourism category, have been so classified. “We are set to kick start the classification of home stays and houseboats very shortly,” Mr. Kumar said.

The seven existing RT destinations did a combined business of Rs. 3.50 crore during the last tourism season with Kumarakom alone contributing Rs. 1.50 crore. Efforts are on to hit the Rs. 10 crore-target by the end of this tourism season, he said.

The tourism department had adopted a three-pronged strategy in promoting RT with equal focus on economic, social and environmental aspects. The economic model ensures that a part of the revenue generated through tourism goes to the local community by establishing a production and supply network for local produces besides giving members training in production.

The social aspect focuses on sustaining traditional livelihood by integrating practices like coir making, toddy tapping, pottery and net fishing into tourism package and ensuring proportionate distribution of revenue among the community members. Promoting arts and culture by attracting tourists to watch traditional art forms in the natural settings rather than serving it in capsule form at the resorts they stay in is another focus area. 

M. P. Praveen, The Hindu, KOCHI, September 20, 2014

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/responsible-kerala-tourism-to-spread-wings/article6429268.ece,  

Bringing Quality to Higher Education

It is not very heartening to see the QS World University Ranking; Not a single Indian higher education institution has made it to the top 200. The recent rankings invariably proved that though our emphasis was on higher education from Independence onwards, the progress made so far is not up to the expectation of global education.The confusion over whom should be blamed for this sad state of affairs still elusive.

Let me bring your attention to the recent hue and cry over the Central Civil Service Exam where a group aspirants cried out for scrapping second paper (CSAT) mentioning it is favorable to urban/elite candidates. Though the issue was not yet settled completely, Union Government has decided to avoid English Comprehension part. At the same time, some times I feel disheartened by the unfair treatment of UPSC in conducting civil service exam. When our constitution enshrines the right for equality to all her citizens, why UPSC conducts exam in both English and Hindi ? I think it favors Hindi speaking people and discriminatory to others. If the passage (Paper II) was in my mother tongue, I would have scored good mark. Though I have done very well in the reasoning, logical ability and basic arithmetic, I proved wrong in attempting passage where my haste succumbed to gain more negatives. In order to make it level playing, UPSC should make it either in English (for all) or in all the 8th schedule languages. As the latter seems inconvenient former makes more sense.

If the Government decision is right, Will they ready to scrap English from all the exams in India including CAT and Banking? Very irking concern ?

Here I want to point out the root cause rather than outcomes. The issue lies in the elementary education. How we can accept a situation where one country creates two types citizens, one gets education from very ordinary government/state syllabubs and a rich group gets education from a far better CBSE, NCERT schools that in turn facilitate the elite capture.  What is wrong to assuring access for everyone to a uniform curriculum in Schools ?

Government should  give more attention on the quality of school education aiming at the physical and mental competency of children. Our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence day address mentioned about the pathetic condition of schools, plight of girl children and the need of intellectual contributions to students community. His decision to make 12hr compulsory service for scientists in  schools is a very welcoming move in this direction.

Bringing quality to education attention should be on software as well as hardware parts.

1. Infrastructure
Whatever it may be School or College, Infrastructure has a paramount importance. As our visionaries rightly pointed out no progress can be made unless and until we develop our technology. Though the communication from MoHRD to telecast the Teachers Day message of Prime Minister compulsorily is hard to comprehend, I consider it as a bold step to assure digitization of our institutions.
Information Communication and Technology (ICT) have magnificent impact in the governance of country and to an extent it can act as a panacea for curbing corruption. The brewing concern of red tapism can end with the help of technology. The growing concern of security, lack of transparency in governance policy paralysis and  snail pace need to be stopped with the effective utilization of ICT.

1. Education institutions need to equipped with world class infrastructure.
2. Online Sessions by eminent teachers should be arranged
3. Access should ensure to the registry of  Knowledge bank (Tutorials, Books, Journals, Videos etc.)
4. Presence of Digital Library and access to internet should be ensured
5. Services for students (payment of fees, scholarships, grants, exams, etc. ) should be done through online

2. Updated Curriculum - It should be developed in connivance with the industry
3. Quality of Teachers
 It is another important are of consideration; because only a good teacher can create a good students.Thrust should be on the accountability of teachers and close attention should be paid in the matter of performance of teachers (evaluation of performance, publication of quality papers etc.). This can be achieved only through paying attention on the matter of election and developing a system for continuous monitoring.

4. Research and Development
    Focus on patents and publication of articles in journals with good impact factor.
5. Industry Collaboration
6. Inter University Collaboration/Allowing Foreign Universities to work in India
7. Communication Ability
  Though last but of great importance should be on communication and soft skill which are vital for the over all development of human being. Beyond wisdom, a teachers can give vision to his/her students.  Here is the essence of what Bacon said lies; "A good teacher is a priceless social tressure.

When we boast about the demographic dividend; if we we fail to take leverage out of their skill by imparting right knowledge, skill and attitude and instills sense of pride, we rather make a suicidal attempt.

Let's awake and skill India
Let's arise and create employment
Let's revive and deploy right minds

For our Nation , For our Society





 

Responsible Tourism: Lessons behind Legacies

Responsible Tourism (RT) is all about ‘creating a better place to live and a better place to visit’. Being the landmark venture of Kerala Tourism department, the project focused on improving the livelihood of destination community by effectively linking them with the industry.

The essence of sustainable livelihood lies in helping the community to flex their entrepreneurial muscles and equip them for future challenges. The procurement supply group - Smarudhi own and operated by women SHG’s (Self Help Groups) is one of the best working models of RT networked with 400 local production units consist of 22 Kudumbasree vegetable units, 100 egg production units, 14 local farmers clubs, and 360 homestead units. It assumed that at least 1,000 local residents in Kumarakom have benefited from the industry – community link-up.

The life changing story of a carpenter Sebastin is suffice to elucidate the impact of Responsible Tourism initiative at Kumarakom. His adeptness in chisel out sculptures from wood was identified by the RT Team, while he was searching for an earning to meet both ends of the life with his family amidst poverty and debt; he was almost in the brim of committing suicide. Their intervention at the right time by providing sufficient training and marketing support saved his life that now helps him to earn an average of 30-35 thousands per month.

While Kumarakom adore with the tag of ‘Global Responsible Tourism (RT) destination’, it is pertinent to remember a few key player behind this accolade. Started as the Consultant of State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM); popularly known as “Kudumbasree, Mr. Rupesh Kumar proved his excellence as a change agent. With his vast experience in socio-economic and political arena, off heat opinions and finely tuned missions, Mr. Rupesh united all stake holders under the RT flag.

Even though he breezed effortlessly through the sensitization programs and negotiations to ensure proper rapport between the stakeholders, the project met with an impasse at the procurement and supply phase. With an enthusiastic LSG representative to spearhead the negotiation, he could reach an amicable and mutually acceptable decision within no time. Through this delicate management maneuver, the responsibility of growth and sustainability was evenly placed on the shoulders of the stakeholders.

Adorning the role as the State Project Leader of Responsible Tourism initiatives of Government of Kerala was a real test of his mettle. In a short span of time Kumarakom gained worldwide attention with its sustainable actions and honored with various prestigious awards like UNWTO Ulysses Prize in the in the category of Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, Rural Tourism Innovation Award by PATA, Best Tourism Product Award by the Ministry of Tourism and President Recognition for Sustainable Tourism Development.

Responding to this achievements Mr. Rupesh opined that “It was one of the most satisfying endeavors that I have attempted even though project stretch me beyond my comfort zone and forced to walk the extra mile. It gave the much needed sharpening to my intellect and taught how to take a bird’s eye view on critical issues before taking the right decision”.

While narrating the success story of Responsible Tourism, it will be incomplete and ineffective if I forget a dynamic individual who was with the project since from the very inception; Mr. U.V. Jose (Former Director, Planning and Operations, Kerala Tourism), a brain behind innovations. As an architect from School of Planning Delhi, and an MBA holder, this dedicated official made everything luminous through his Midas touch. Being a person closely associated with Mr. Jose, I observed his meticulous planning, strenuous effort and studious approach to make things better which definitely added more vigor to the entire team.  

Dr. Venu V IAS (former Secretary, Kerala Tourism), G.C Damodaran (then President of Kumarakom Grama Panchaytah), and many others contributed for the smooth pace of RT Project.
Responsible Tourism initiatives at Kumarakom invariably proved that effective grass root level interventions can transform the lives of people. Lessons from this hinterland is an emulating strategy for local community empowerment and inclusive development by ensuring positive and meaningful involvement of the local community.  

(Paul V Mathew is a former State Team Member, Responsible Tourism Project. Currently he research Scholar at School of Management Studies (SMS), Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). E-mail: paulvmathew.hr@gmail.com )

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AT KUMARAKOM- An Effective Mechanism to Achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AT KUMARAKOM-

An Effective Mechanism to Achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

Paul V Mathew

ABSTRACT

When the whole world strives to achieve the ambitious goals of United Nations Millennium Development Goals, a novel program Responsible Tourism paves way for sustainable development in a small village tourism destination Kumarakom in Kerala. The new approach of MGD hints a shift of the scale of growth from economic terms to human development indicators that reiterates that it is the empowerment of people of bottom level decides the real development of nations. To ensure faster, sustainable and inclusive growth, participation of people from all walks of life is essential especially from the marginalized sector. Lessons from Kumarakom invariably proved that Public- Private Partnership (PPP) and stake holders participation lead towards the achievement of MDG. Considering the multi stakeholder collaboration and community innovation, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recognized this initiative with Best Innovation in Public Policy and Governance. Responsible Tourism aims at social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability has a decisive role in eradication of poverty and hunger, promotion of gender equality and women empowerment, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases and to develop a global partnership for development. This paper presents case study on the Responsible Tourism initiatives at Kumarakom by Kerala Tourism and Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission and how it charts a new trend in achieving MDG specially G1,G3, G6. G7 and G8.

Key Words: Responsible Tourism (RT), Sustainable Development, Public Private Participation (PPP), Poverty Eradication, Women Empowerment, Sustainable Livelihood, and Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach

Introduction

The concept of growth now turns towards a more meaningful term ‘development’ that gives equal importance for natural capital, social capital and intellectual capital along with the widely focused industrial capital. Globally accepted development strategy by the Brundtland Commission in its 1987 report ‘Our Common Future’ defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In order to actualize this ideology United Nations visualized eight ambitious goals as ‘Millennium Development Goals (MDG) aimed at responding to the world's main development challenges, including poverty reduction, opportunities for education, better maternal health, gender equality, and reducing child mortality, AIDS and other diseases with a global partnership that agreed to achieve these by 2015 based on all actors working together at global, regional and national levels. Along with UN, its specialized agency for tourism, United Nations World Tourism organization (UNWTO) is now joining hands with UN by committing to fostering the tourism sector’s contribution to development.

UNWTO assumes that tourism accounts for 45 percent of the exports of services of least-developed countries and is a major job generator for many of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Indeed, in 2009, emerging economies received 410 million international tourism arrivals, a 47 percent share of the global total, and US$306 billion in international tourism receipts, 36 percent of the global total (UNWTO, 2012). As such, the industry can play a significant role in the achievement of the MDGs, in particular MDG 1 - Eradication of Poverty, MDG 3 - Gender Equality, MDG 7 - Environmental Sustainability, and MDG 8 - Global Partnerships for Development (UNESCAP, 2012). At the same time it is generally assumed that international tourism can generate benefits for poor people and poor communities in the context of sustainable tourism development, usually without specifically targeting the poor. When many destinations are striving to achieve sustainability and ensuring local community development, a village destination in Kerala, Kumarakom came out with flying colours by successfully implementing a sustainable tourism development concept Responsible Tourism (RT) that acclaimed by UNWTO award in the category of Innovation in Public Policy and Governance. The article gives a glimpse on the contribution of Responsible Tourism towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Responsible Tourism (RT) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

 “Responsible Tourism” is about enabling local communities to enjoy a better quality of life through increased socio-economic benefits and improved natural resource management along with providing better holiday experiences for guests and good business opportunities for tourism enterprises (DEAT, 1996). It is often referred to as “a better place to visit and a better place to live”. South Africa’s Tourism White Paper (1996) refers specifically to the concept of “Responsible Tourism”, the key elements of which can be defined in terms of:

•    Developing, managing and marketing tourism in ways that create competitive advantage;

•    Assessing and monitoring the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism developments, and openly disclosing information;

•    Ensuring the active involvement of communities that benefit from tourism, including their participation in planning and decision-making and the establishment of meaningful economic linkages;

•    Maintaining and encouraging natural, economic, social and cultural diversity;

•    Avoiding waste and over-consumption, and promoting the sustainable use of local resources.

After the mid of 1990s we witnessed a shift of growth /development from economic performance to the “triple bottom line” – growth that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. In par with this objective Responsible Tourism gives equal preference to the economy, society and the environment – the three pillars of sustainable development. The major responsibilities are summarized below (Spenceley et.al, 2012)

Economic Responsibility

•  Assess economic impacts before developing tourism. •  Maximise local economic benefits by increasing linkages and reducing leakages. •  Ensure communities are involved in and benefit from tourism. •  Assist with local marketing and product development. •  Promote equitable business and pay fair prices.

Social Responsibility

•  Involve local communities in planning and decision making. •  Assess social impacts of tourism activities. •  Respect social and cultural diversity. •  Be sensitive to the host culture.

Environmental Responsibility

•  Reduce environmental impacts when developing tourism. •  Use natural resources sustainably. •  Maintain biodiversity.

Amongst all, Responsible Tourism aims at maximizing tourism’s contribution as a main driver of economic growth and development.  UNWTO reports that the Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) is UNWTO’s long-term program aimed at reducing poverty through developing and promoting sustainable forms of tourism. To date, UNWTO has implemented over 90 ST-EP projects in 31 countries. United Nation also produced a design on the Contribution of tourism to achieving the Millennium Development Goals ((UNESCAP, 2012).  

	Millennium Development Goals (MDG)	Contribution of tourism
1	Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger	a)   Tourism stimulates economic growth both at the national and local levels and promotes the growth of the agricultural, industrial and service sectors; b)  Tourism provides a wide range of employment opportunities easily accessible by the poor. Tourism businesses and tourists purchase goods and services directly from the poor or enterprises employing the poor. This creates opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in which the poor can participate; c)   International and domestic tourism spreads development to poor regions and remote rural areas of a country that may not have benefited from other types of economic development; d)  The development of tourism infrastructure can benefit the livelihood of the poor through improvement in tourism-linked service sectors, including transport and communications, water supply, energy and health services.
2	Achieve universal primary education	a)   The construction of roads and tracks to remote areas for tourists also improves access for school-age children and for teachers; b)   Tourism can help local resource mobilization, part of which can be spent on improvement of education facilities
3	Promote gender equality and empower women	(a)    The tourism industry employs a high proportion of women and creates microenterprise opportunities for them. It promotes women’s mobility and provides opportunities for social networking.
4	Reduce child mortality	a)   The construction of roads and tracks to remote areas for tourists also improves access to health services; b)   Revenues accruing to national and local governments through taxes on the tourism industry can be used to improve health services and nutrition for young  children and their mothers; c)   Tourism raises awareness about HIV/AIDS issues and supports HIV/AIDS-prevention campaigns; d)  Tourism aggravates the spread of HIV/AIDS (negative effect).
5	Improve maternal health
6	Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria
	Ensure environmental sustainability	a)   Tourism can generate financial resources for conservation of the natural environment; b)   Tourism raises awareness about environmental conservation and promotes waste management, recycling and biodiversity conservation; c)   Uncontrolled tourism may generate negative  externalities as a result of pollution, congestion and d)  Depletion of natural resources (negative effect).
	Develop a global partnership for development	(a)      Tourism contributes to the socio-economic development of least developed countries, landlocked countries and island developing countries through foreign exchange earnings and the creation of job opportunities; (b)      Tourism stimulates the development of the transport infrastructure, which facilitates access to and from the least developed countries, landlocked countries and island developing countries; (c)      Tourism stimulates internal and external trade and strengthens supply chains; (d)     Tourism promotes the integration of isolated economies with regional and global flows of trade and investment; (e)      Tourism reduces the burden on government budgets through implementation of public-private initiatives; (f)       Tourism creates decent and productive work for youth; (g)      Tourism provides opportunities for bilateral, multilateral and subregional cooperation among countries; (h)      Information technologies play an important role in integrating tourism enterprises into global tourism markets.

Source: United Nations ESCAP, Transport and Tourism Division, Transport Policy and Tourism Section.

Effective industry participation, Ownership of Local Self Governments (LSG), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of business and industry-community harmony create a conducive environment for achieving MDG in destinations. The pro-poor approach, sustainable strategy, inclusive and justifiable development initiatives of Responsible Tourism pave way for a holistic development of tourism destinations.

Responsible Tourism at Kumarakom

Considering the availability of plenty of natural resources, skilled manpower, supportive entrepreneurial community, strong local-self-governments, civil society organizations, multitude of micro enterprises, streams of professionals and academicians, responsible media and responsive tourism industry, in 2008,  Government of Kerala decided to implement Responsible Tourism at four destinations, including Kovalam, Kumarakom, Wayanad and Thekkady  on a pilot basis. Among these destinations Kumarakom emerged as the best model for RT and was honored by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India UNWTO and PATA.

Kumarakom, a village with a population of about 6000 persons, is known for its panoramic backwater stretches, lush green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. The destination has fairly large tourist inflow and sufficient accommodation facility. About 20 hotels and resorts are operating at Kumarakom. While analyzing the role of Responsible Tourism at Kumarakom with the ambitious MDG, it is vital to note that it plays a significant role in achieving Goal 1 (to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), Goal 3 (To promote gender equality and empowering women), Goal 6 (To improve maternal health), Goal 7 (To ensure environmental sustainability) and Goal 8 (To develop a global partnership for development)

Goal 1 (to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger)

Economic responsibility of Responsible Tourism aims at effectively utilizing the local resources and natural attraction for business development and local community benefit by increasing local purchase and employment, investment for the development of local infrastructure and basic amenities, promotion of social entrepreneurial activities, and skill development inventories contribute for the overall well being of people (GITPAC, 2011). Under the banner of Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission, local Self Help Groups (SHG) joined together to form a procurement supply group called ‘Samrudhi’ that now becomes the engine of local economic growth and community development. Responsible Tourism Cell at Kumarakom played a crucial role in creating an industry-community harmony by linking the local market with tourism industry especially hotels in the destination. It is assumed that around 1,000 local residents had benefited from the community-industry link-up (RT Cell, Kumarakom, 2012) and it  fostered the economic gains of the community by reviving agriculture production, art and souvenir industry and by developing various Community Based Tourism(CBT) products.

Though it’s a small village, around 400 local products units, 22 Kudumbasree vegetable units, 14 units of local farmers, and 360 homestead units, and many other enterprise oriented units like fish processing unit, chapatti making unit, chicken processing unit, tender coconut unit, gift making unit, pappad making unit, handicraft, painting unit, souvenir unit, plantain leaves supply unit, fish farming, lotus cultivation units and different cultural groups ensure quality and prompt supply. Studies estimated that total sale of Samrudhi group over these years is Rs. 7605000 and 91% of business happened with business properties (2008-2013).

Goal 3 (To promote gender equality and empowering women) and Goal 6 (To improve maternal health)

Women are the key players behind the success of Responsible Tourism initiatives at Kumarakom. Kudumbasree, an active arm of Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission consistently strives for the empowerment as well as sustainability of women in the society.  Under the leadership of Kudumbasree and Grama Panchayath, different SHG’s of women cultivate 85 acres of land along with 612 homesteads at Kumarakom. Development of innovative micro enterprises, creation of self employment opportunities, micro enterprises and small product and service units actively contribute for the social and economic empowerment of women community in the destination. Study reveals that around 845 women are directly benefitting from tourism through different kinds of activities.

Women Participation
	No. of Units	Total Participants
SHG	10	75
Production Units	10	30
Micro Enterprises	20	100
Cultural Groups	4	40
Total	44	845

(Source: RT Cell, Kumarakom, 2013)

Responsible Tourism gives thrust for women and children through Anganvadies in the area by conducting awareness programs and health and hygiene related campaigns. The Village Life Experience (VLE) packages developed by the RT Cell offers multiple modes of opportunities for the guests to experience village life in midst of authentic cultural and natural settings. Among these tours, a woman led country boat ride ‘A day with the farmer’ gained wide popularity among the tourists and travel partners. The members of the community participating in the package by showing/demonstrating their activities receive fixed amounts from the package price realized. There is also close interaction between the community and the visitors through these packages. It is unique to see the professional Sinkari Melam Group of women who cherishes the guests by their vibrant and mastery art performing skills. Thus tourism promotes gender equality and women empowerment by taking them to the fore of the society and ensures their participation in management and decision making. 

Goal 7 (To ensure environmental sustainability)

Environmental sustainability is one of the triple bottom line responsibilities which defines as the ‘capacity to endure’ or ‘the maintenance of natural capital’. Though this destination not yet achieved environmental sustainability, it has achieved a lot on this aspect by involving different kind of environmental conservation activities. The environmental initiative of responsible tourism succeeded in declaring the bird sanctuary as a plastic free zone, promoting bicycle journey around hotels and resorts, promotion of organic farming, mangrove protection and control of back water pollution with the help of the community. A survey of plastic use by sales outlets in the area was conducted and promoted the manufacture and use of eco-friendly carry bags by the establishments. A survey of energy and water use as well as the generation and disposal of waste by the hotels was undertaken to assess the extent of green practices by the industry. The data collected was used for developing environmental criteria for granting green certificates. A separate survey on energy consumption of street lights made the Panchayat to replace a large number of bulbs (Kerala Tourism, 2012).

The resource mapping carried out through household surveys and physical reconnaissance of the project area identified large chunks of un-cultivated land in the villages. These were left fallow either because of low yield and low demand for agricultural produces or because of spiraling prices of non-agricultural land induced by the development of tourism. The RT Cell was, however, able to mobilise Kudumbasree volunteers to take up paddy cultivation in 55 acres of land and Grama Panchayat to introduce vegetable cultivation in another 30 acres of land. In addition 612 homestead farmers were motivated to take up vegetable cultivation to enhance vegetable supplies to local hotels. It greatly improved the level of supply of agricultural products to hotel industry apart from securing additional income to the farmers. On the whole, about one-third of the population in the Panchayat is presently involved in the production and sale of agricultural products to tourism industry (GITPAC, 2012).

Goal 8 (To develop a global partnership for development)

Kerala is also in the forefront to disseminate and share the success stories by organizing workshops, seminars, consultations and by utilizing various other national and international platforms. Kerala witnessed two international conferences on Responsible Tourism and sustainable strategies which has been gained global attention in the backdrop of UNWTO’s award in the category of Innovation in Public Policy and Governance. Kerala Tourism’s RT School is also an endeavor to enable participants to work together to develop knowledge and skills to analyze the economic opportunities for local communities in tourism and to develop intervention strategies. The summer school would give the opportunity to learn from two of the world's leading states practicing Responsible Tourism - Kerala and Gambia. Apart from this Kerala Tourism participates in international travel marts and trade/road shows to propagate Responsible Tourism as an ideal strategy for sustainable destination development.

Based on the learning from the pilot implementation, Kerala tourism went for the Phase II of Responsible Tourism project that now is being implemented in more than ten destinations in Kerala. RT Kerala Declaration and Manual for the implementation of Responsible Tourism project were distributed to the local self governments followed by the regional workshops for LSG representatives with the objective of practicing this novel concept in all emerging tourism destinations of Kerala. Studies proved that grass root level involvement, ownership of community, participation of local self government and professional technical support are the key requirements for the successful implementation of RT programs.   

Conclusion

Kerala Responsible Tourism initiatives reiterate that this sustainable concept has a significant impact among the community by transforming tourism in to more meaningful changes in the social, economic and environmental facets of destinations. The Kumarakom Grama Panchayat has effectively used the Responsible Tourism initiative to make it a reality for positive and meaningful involvement of the local community in the tourism industry for economic empowerment especially to women. When a number of tourism destinations strive to maintain sustainability, Responsible Tourism should be projected as a viable mechanism to eliminate poverty and hunger, a suitable platform for gender equality and women empowerment and the source for local economic development.  Considering the success of Responsible Tourism in Kumarakom, and the lead position that Kerala enjoys in the global tourism market, this initiative could be replicated in all leading tourism destinations to ensure sustainability of tourism development and a strategy to achieve a need of this globe, Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Reference

• Caroline Ashley et al., Pro-Poor Tourism Strategies: Making Tourism Work for the Poor,

Pro-Poor Tourism Report Number1 (Nottingham, United Kingdom: Overseas Development Institute, 2001), p. 41.

• DEAT (1996) The development and promotion of tourism in South Africa, White Paper, Government of South Africa, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism ((www.environment.gov.za)
• GITPAC (2012), Responsible Tourism in Destinations, Kerala
• GITPAC (2011), Report on Responsible Tourism at Kumarakom, Kerala
• Kerala Tourism (2012), Responsible Tourism in Kerala, Government of Kerala
• Spenceley, A., Relly, P., Keyser, H., Warmeant, P., McKenzie, M., Mataboge, A., Norton, P., Mahlangu, S., and Seif, J. (2002) Responsible Tourism Manual for South Africa, Department for Environmental Affairs and Tourism, July 2002.
• UNDP, 2013, Millennium Development Goals,  www.undp.org/mdg/ (accessed on 13/12/2013)
• UNESCAP, 2012, Tourism and the Millennium Development Goals
• UN ESCAP (2011),  Transport and Tourism Division, Transport Policy and Tourism Section.
• United Nations. 1987."Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development." General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987. Retrieved: 2007-04-12
• WTO, Tourism and Poverty Alleviation, (Madrid: WTO, 2002), p. 31

Paul V Mathew

Vazhayil

Kinginimattam, Kolenchery

Ernakulam, Kerala

India - 682311

Res: 0484-2766667

Mob: +91-9745482028

Email: paulvmathew.hr@gmail.com

Citation: Copyright@Responsible Tourism at Kumarakom – An Effective Mechanism to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG). (pp. 69-74). Chennai: VELS University.