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Apart from Kochi, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad, three more destinations including Kumbalangi in Ernakulam district, Ambalavayal in Wayanad and Bekal in Kasaragod will soon be declared as Responsible Tourism destinations. The decision was made after taking into account the performance of these destinations in sustainable tourism practices.
Kumbalangi, the first Model Tourism Village in India has been recognized as an endogenous-tourism locale and the declaration as an RT destination will further enhance its prospects as a travel destination. Also, Kumbalangi, Kumbalam and Chellanam panchayats will be declared as sustainable agriculture villages.
Kumbalangi would be the base for the new RT initiatives. Besides the cultivation of vegetables and paddy, efforts are being made to encourage the rearing of cows, hens and other domestic animals at households in Kumbalangi and nearby villages. Other plans in Kumbalangi are to increase the area under 'pokkali' rice cultivation from the present 250 hectares to at least 1000 hectares. Intercropping in coconut farms will also be encouraged at Kumbalangi with the help of Coconut Development Board. Steps had been taken to ensure the progress of RT initiatives at Ambalavayal and Bekal.
The Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) under Kerala Tourism is the nodal agency to implement RT initiatives in the State. The Responsible Tourism classification system chalked out on the lines of Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria was followed up by the decision to include more RT destinations. The system will be used to review responsible tourism initiatives in Kerala. An RT Classification Committee with the Secretary, Kerala Tourism as Chairman and the Director of Kerala Tourism as convener has been constituted to implement the system.
