Online directory of artisans, doyens getting ready

The Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is planning to launch an exclusive initiative to collate data on skilled artisans, dancers and other artists by the end of June, under the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission project. The project is aimed at promoting experimental tourism. The online directory will have details regarding artists, including their name, coordinators, bio-data and details of stage performances.

The initiative is expected to help people from across the globe to access the state’s traditional art forms, handicraft products and artisans. The online directory will provide an opportunity for academics, travellers and event organizers to reach the artists directly. The Tourism Department has been working towards promoting experiential tourism wherein travellers get a chance to familiarise with exotic locales by connecting with the history of the region, its culture and people, according to a report by TNIE.

“It will revive old and fading art forms of the region, while providing support to the artists. Kerala has immense potential for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism. And, we believe this initiative will enable artisans to showcase traditional art forms to a global audience, thereby promoting the cultural heritage of the state,” said S Vijayakumar, Secretary, DTPC Ernakulam.

The DTPC has planned to entrust Kudumbashree volunteers with tasks such as cleaning and operating parking lots in tourist centres and beaches. The same group will manage the food kiosks, while focusing on the implementation of the green protocol.

Ernakulam owns the privilege of being one of the most-visited places by foreign travellers. In 2017, Ernakulam hosted 32,85,088 travellers, an increase of 12.4 per cent, compared to 4,07,653 travellers in 2016.