Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission to promote micro unheard destinations

“Making better places for people to visit and better places for people to live in” has been the slogan of Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) mission since its inception.

Speaking about the revival of tourism in the state, K. Rupesh Kumar, RT Mission State coordinator said domestic tourism was on the revival path, as can be gauged from the arrival of guests from other States. “Knowing that responsible tourism is the way forward post-pandemic, they come in search of experiential tourism. Stakeholders have readied unique packages where care is taken to avoid crowding and adhere to hygiene,”

He added “In keeping with the new trend, we are promoting micro destinations, hitherto unheard-of locales which have not been marketed so far. They have units which offer ethnic cuisines, which are a hit among guests.”

The Mission is envisaged with a ‘triple-bottom-line’ mission which comprises economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. Making tourism a tool for the development of the village and local communities, eradicating poverty, and giving emphasis to women empowerment are the main aims of the Responsible Tourism Mission. The mission aspires to provide an additional income and a better livelihood to farmers, traditional artisans, and marginalized people along with creating a social and environmental equilibrium.

Discerning guests have started flocking to various destinations in the suburbs of Kochi to be in the lap of nature. Among their favorite locales is the Thattekkad bird sanctuary. Girish Chandran, owner of a homestay and who accompanies nature lovers on forest and bird-watching treks said “Tourist footfall is increasing, since migratory birds have arrived in large numbers. We open our doors only to nature lovers and families since the time is not yet ripe for regular tourism”

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