www.keralatourism.org Making Destinations more Sustainable A case study of Kumarakom, Kerala, India U V JOSE Kerala Tourism www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Making Destinations more SustainableMaking Destinations more Sustainable
A case study of Kumarakom, Kerala, India
U V JOSEKerala Tourism
www.keralatourism.org
U V JOSEKerala Tourism
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Kumarakom 20 years backKumarakom 20 years back
A sleepy village of 52.00 Sq. Km with 50% backwater, 25% paddy field
Local community totally dependent on agriculture and fisheries
Serene backwaters Bird sanctuary home to 91 species of local
and 50 species of migratory birds Variety of mangroves
A sleepy village of 52.00 Sq. Km with 50% backwater, 25% paddy field
Local community totally dependent on agriculture and fisheries
Serene backwaters Bird sanctuary home to 91 species of local
and 50 species of migratory birds Variety of mangroves
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Current scenarioCurrent scenario
A world renowned backwater destination 30,000 international visitors 20 world class resorts, 100 homestays, more
than 100 houseboats 1000 classified / approved rooms 5000 direct and 20000 indirect employment in
tourism Population of 25000, Households 5200
A world renowned backwater destination 30,000 international visitors 20 world class resorts, 100 homestays, more
than 100 houseboats 1000 classified / approved rooms 5000 direct and 20000 indirect employment in
tourism Population of 25000, Households 5200
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Three years beforeThree years before
Very low benefits from tourism to local community
Negative socio-cultural and environmental impacts
Local tourism industry and local community conflicts
Local Panchayat totally sidelined in tourism development
Strong indicators of unsustainable destination
Very low benefits from tourism to local community
Negative socio-cultural and environmental impacts
Local tourism industry and local community conflicts
Local Panchayat totally sidelined in tourism development
Strong indicators of unsustainable destination
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Government Intervention through RTGovernment Intervention through RT
Strategies formed by brainstorming workshops for stakeholders
Decided to have economic responsibility focus to make visible impacts to local community
Supported with socio-cultural and environmental responsibility
Institutionalised at State and destination level Training and capacity-building programmes
Strategies formed by brainstorming workshops for stakeholders
Decided to have economic responsibility focus to make visible impacts to local community
Supported with socio-cultural and environmental responsibility
Institutionalised at State and destination level Training and capacity-building programmes
www.keralatourism.org
Economic Responsibility at KumarakomEconomic Responsibility at Kumarakom
Focussed on local procurement and establishing local enterprises
Lead role to local panchayat on local production and supply
No financial support from Government, except financing coordinating teams
Started with defining ‘local’ and demand & supply surveys
Focussed on local procurement and establishing local enterprises
Lead role to local panchayat on local production and supply
No financial support from Government, except financing coordinating teams
Started with defining ‘local’ and demand & supply surveys
www.keralatourism.org
Economic Responsibility at KumarakomEconomic Responsibility at Kumarakom
Created a supply calendar based on the survey outputs
Sourcing supply system through ‘Samrudhi’ self-help-group
Production systems through women self-help-group ‘Kudumbasree’ strengthened
Quality and Pricing Committees – Buyer and seller together deciding the prices
Tourism Department ensured industry supports
Created a supply calendar based on the survey outputs
Sourcing supply system through ‘Samrudhi’ self-help-group
Production systems through women self-help-group ‘Kudumbasree’ strengthened
Quality and Pricing Committees – Buyer and seller together deciding the prices
Tourism Department ensured industry supports
www.keralatourism.org
The ResultsThe Results
Supply of more than 40 local items to hotels Sale of local products worth US$ 100,000 in
last two years Conversion of 168 acres waste and
uncultivated land into vegetable farms More than 25 Kudumbasree units with 750
women involved and benefited
Supply of more than 40 local items to hotels Sale of local products worth US$ 100,000 in
last two years Conversion of 168 acres waste and
uncultivated land into vegetable farms More than 25 Kudumbasree units with 750
women involved and benefited
www.keralatourism.org
The ResultsThe Results
More than 20 local enterprises including local handicraft units
10 Farmers’ groups and 500 homestead farming units
Benefit to 1/3 rd of the households
More than 20 local enterprises including local handicraft units
10 Farmers’ groups and 500 homestead farming units
Benefit to 1/3 rd of the households
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
Socio-Cultural and Environmental Responsibility
Socio-Cultural and Environmental Responsibility
Awareness creation Village Life experience tour packages Cultural troupes Leadership in addressing environmental
issues
Awareness creation Village Life experience tour packages Cultural troupes Leadership in addressing environmental
issues
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
The OutcomeThe Outcome
Reduced industry-community conflicts Community awareness on potential of tourism
for socio-economic development New role to local panchayats in tourism
development
Reduced industry-community conflicts Community awareness on potential of tourism
for socio-economic development New role to local panchayats in tourism
development
www.keralatourism.org
To sustain the initiative and destinationTo sustain the initiative and destination
Local community should benefit more And for that tourism industry participation has
to go up Tour Operators have a major role to play Promote destination as well as properties
practicing RT principles
Local community should benefit more And for that tourism industry participation has
to go up Tour Operators have a major role to play Promote destination as well as properties
practicing RT principles
www.keralatourism.org
www.keralatourism.org
SummarySummary
‘Quality of a destination’ has to be defined by the ‘quality of life of the local population’
Quality of life of the local community can be improved through tourism by using principles of RT
Let us create more RT destinations in the world
Consider Kumarakom as a simple example
‘Quality of a destination’ has to be defined by the ‘quality of life of the local population’
Quality of life of the local community can be improved through tourism by using principles of RT
Let us create more RT destinations in the world
Consider Kumarakom as a simple example
www.keralatourism.org
Thank YouThank You