STREET is a participatory tourism development project by the Responsible Tourism Mission. The project will be implemented in 10 selected places of Kerala based on the UNWTO's new tourism motto, 'Tourism for Inclusive Growth'. Developing/rebranding destinations into theme-based streets and widening the area of tourism activities so as to reduce the tourist concentration in the main points is the aim of the project.
The project is envisioned to develop/ transform the destinations into Sustainable Living Responsible Tourism Villages in a thematic zoning mode. STREET means Sustainable Tangible Responsible Experiential Ethnic Tourism Hubs.
The main mission is to develop thematic streets in new tourism destinations or rebrand established destinations with a thematic zoning along with local community and LSG support. The specialities of the destination like water stretch, farms, local food varieties, livelihood activities etc. will be unveiled to guest through these streets. The guests can choose the streets according to their taste. Based on the concept 'tourism for sustainable development and inclusive growth' Responsible Tourism Mission puts forth sustainable living villages through tourism. One of the major problems faced by the established tourism destinations is concentrating the tourism activities in a limited space; as a result, the destinations exceed the physical carrying capacity of the place. It's also limiting the benefits of tourism to a limited number of people from the locality. At the same time, in our destinations it is difficult to explore specific products like cultural aspects or agriculture aspects or local cuisine of the place, unique souvenirs or other specialities of the place. Generally our destinations offer a mix of all these. The project 'STREET' is designed to develop destinations with thematic zones where tourists can explore the theme in detail. The project also aims to spread/widen the area of a tourism destination so as to reduce the tourist concentration within a smaller area. Product diversification and new experiences will help increase tourist flow, while thematic zoning will reduce the density of the moving population.
The project aims to highlight the unique geographical, cultural aspects of the place with local community participation. New destinations will be developed with thematic zoning and existing destinations will be rebranded through zoning. The project aims to develop destinations by utilizing existing facilities, protecting natural habitats and ecosystem without changing the land use pattern, as well as facilitating rural development through tourism. Other objectives of the project are to generate additional income for the local community and women empowerment while preserving the unique culture and livelihood activities of each destination.
The names of the locations which are selected for street project
The project will have state level launch program at one place and in continuation awareness workshops will organised at new LSGs.
The possible components in each street will be the following:
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AGRI STREET- Agri Tourism hub of the destination
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VLE STREET- Area practising various traditional livelihood activities of the village
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CULTURE STREET- This will be the Cultural Hub of the destination.
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CUISINE STREET- This will be the food hub of the destination. The very authentic local cuisines will be the speciality of this area (other food items also will be available).
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WATER STREET- The water stretch of the destinations will be covered in this street along with the various modes of water transportation and other services in moving/floating units.
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ART STREET- This street will the performing arts hub of the destination.
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Responsible Tourism Mission will lead the project implementation in association with respective LSGs.
Respective LSGs also have an important role to play for the successful implementation of the project.
