Responsible Tourism Mission gives new hope to Kerala Tourism
Foreign tourists enjoy how a earthen pot is made from mud
Responsible Tourism has been giving a new vision and hope to the state of Kerala, which has been withered by the devastating rain and floods in recent time.
The Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission) has been formed by the state with a ‘triple-bottom-line’ mission, which comprises economic, social and environmental responsibilities. It makes tourism a tool for the development of village and local communities, eradicating poverty and giving emphasis to women empowerment.
The mission, which aspired to provide an additional income and a better livelihood to farmers, traditional artisans, and marginalized people along with creating a social and environmental equilibrium, has proved a great success in the initial year itself. Within a span of one year 11,532 units have formed under the mission.
Foreign tourist tries weaving on a handloom
Kerala Tourism minister, Kadakampally Surendran will distribute certificates to the different RT Mission units and those who are directly and indirectly associated with the responsible tourism programmes, such as farmers, handicraft artists, artisans, cottage industries, folk artists, farm stay and home-stay entrepreneurs, tour guides etc. The certificate distribution programme will be held on 24th November 2018 at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapruam. The minister will also release an e-brochure on RT Mission in the function.
Tourists experience local toddy
Around 21,000 persons have become direct beneficiaries of the different programmes implemented by the RT Mission in the last one year. Almost 32,000 persons could avail the benefits of the programmes indirectly during the period. As per reports, the RT Mission units could earn around Rs 5.82 crores through different activities during the last year.
Foreign tourists learn coconut leaf weaving from village woman
The RT Mission could help the tourism sector to withstand the slowdown in the tourism in the post-flood periods. The main projects of the Mission are in Kumarakom, Thekkady and Vayanad. Apart from that the Mission has spread its area of operation to the northen districts including Kannur and Kasargode.
Interest and participation of foreign tourists in the activities of RT Mission has been increasing steadily during the past year. It is reported that around 42,000 foreign tourists participated in various village life experience packaged implemented by the mission.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George receive the Gold Award for Responsible Tourism at WTM London
Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission has bagged Gold Award for ‘Best in Responsible Tourism’ in the world in the World Travel Market, London on 6th October 2018. It was only a few months back, Kumarakom, one of the sought after tourism hotspots of Kerala, received the national award for the ‘Best Responsible Tourism Project of India.’