The state government has approved a project to convert Beypore in Kozhikode district into a Responsible Tourism destination. The project is aimed at providing direct and indirect employment to more than 1,000 people in four years, including at least 500 units of Responsible Tourism Mission.
The Tourism Minister Mr. P. A. Mohammed Riyas said the ancient port town of Beypore has the right mix to become a successful tourism destination of international standards. With the Chaliyar river reaching the Arabian Sea, Beypore has a port, a breakwater, a lighthouse, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kadalundi Kadavu estuary and a mangrove forest. Besides, it has a vibrant culture, food and rural life.
Tourism projects proposed for Beypore will be brought under the Responsible Tourism project and the development of basic infrastructure will be ensured.
Apart from improving the services and travel experiences to tourists, the project aims to better the living standards of the residents by developing the local economy, creating jobs in tourism sector, ensuring capacity building of local people, implementing infrastructure development and facilitating women’s empowerment.
Preparing a draft plan of the proposed developmental scheme, organising special tourism grama sabhas, holding meetings of stakeholders and investors, conducting tourism resource mapping, training beneficiaries, marketing destinations and making promotional videos and familiarisation field trips for bloggers, tour operators and media are the primary steps of the project.
A committee - headed by the minister with State Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinator Roopesh Kumar as Convenor and heads of local bodies in Beypore constituency as members - was formed for the purpose.
Located 10 km from Kozhikode city, Beypore has a small port and a beautiful beach. The coastal town is famous for building wooden ship, called Dhows or Urus, and the ships are mainly bought by Arab merchants.