Kerala Tourism with New Tourist Features for Responsible Tourism Development

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is globally renowned tourism destination and it has many features
which highlight the importance of Kerala as a travel destination.

Kerala tourism’s responsible tourism model at Kumarakom linking the local community to the hospitality industry has won another national award for the best rural tourism project.

Kerala also won honors in there other categories at the National Tourism Awards for 2011-2012. Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort at Chowara near Thiruvananthapuram won the best wellness centre award while Pioneer Personalized Holidays won the best approved inbound tour operator and travel agent category. Vivanta by Taj and coconut creek farm and Home Stay won awards for the best four start hotel categories.

Suman Billa, Kerala tourism secretary received the award for the best rural tourism project from President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony organised at Vigyan Bhavan on Monday.

Launched in the year 2008, Kerala Tourism’s pioneering for responsible tourism model in Kumarakom fake partnership with Kudumbashee to sell fruits and vegetable to tourists in Koisks run by its units with hotels and restaurants to buy produces from the local community.

Beside the local business trend to benefits the local community, the Kumarakom model has also taken initiative for eco-friendly practices of disposing of waste.

“The national award is in the recognition of the best practices for responsible and eco-friendly tourism development,” said state tourism minister AP Anil Kumar. “The whole credit goes to the people of Kumarkom who made the project a huge success through their participations,” he said.

The National Tourism Awards are given away every year by the Union Tourism ministry to recognize the brilliance and development done in the tourism department for sustainable development of tourism.