It is My Our Your Responsibility

Responsible Tourism (RT) is an alternate tourism approach came up during late 60s/early 70s environmental concerns of mass tourism mainly conceived with three kinds of responsibilities which are termed as the ‘triple bottom-line’ economic responsibility, social responsibility and environmental responsibility. Government of Kerala decided to practice Responsible Tourism in an experimental basis at the 4 selected destinations and the first phase of Responsible Tourism in Kerala got started in 2008. Through various phases of development, in 2017 Responsible Tourism Mission was formed to lead the responsible Tourism activities in the state.

Responsible Tourism Mission is systematically working to link the local community directly or indirectly with tourism sector through awareness creation, trainings & capacity building programmes, creating/identifying RT Mission units across the state and link the units with tourism. At present there are 23786 individual/group units,out of which 16660 women owned /leading units, are registered with RT Mission under various categories like cloth bag making units, paper bag making units, handicraft making units, various farming units, farm supply units, artists, artisans, RT chauffeurs, community tour leaders, farm visit units, home stays, farm stays, tended accommodation units, ethnic cuisine units and so on.

Activities and Major Projects of RT Mission

1. Trainings and Skill Development

There are different domains in which the local community can get and in generate income directly or indirectly from the tourism sector. RT Mission is identifying these possibilities, train the local community and equip them to enter into the tourism sector directly or indirectly.

2. Experiential Tourism Packages

The concept of Experiential Tourism Packages has been derived from Village Life Experiential (VLE) Tour Packages. The VLE packages in the tourism sector were first introduced by the Kerala Tourism through Responsible Tourism. It was brought forward with the aim of protecting the native crafts, traditional jobs and the village life of Kerala. The main highlight of this idea is that it ensures public participation for tourism development thereby supporting farmers, small-scale entrepreneurs, traditional artisans and so forth. Currently, RT Village Life Experience is an ideal model that has received praise and appreciation from all over the world.

STREET Project

STREET is a participatory tourism development project being implemented by the Responsible Tourism Mission 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.

Beypore Integrated RT Development Project

Beypore Integrated RT Development project is a project of RT Mission to elevate Beypore destination as an international RT destination within 4 years. Beypore is a waterscape with abundant potential for tourism but not explored much. The place is also having a strong historical and cultural background aged centuries. Local community integration in tourism is not much practiced at Beypore even it is already a destination. Through the project Beypore will be converted as an international RT destination with cent percentage local community involvement.

Beypore integrated RT Development project is a project of RT Mission to elevate Beypore destination as an international RT destination within 4 years. Beypore is a waterscape with abundant potential for tourism but not explored much.

3. PEPPER Project

PEPPER is an initiative of RT Mission piloted at Vaikom Taluk in Kottayam District of Kerala. This initiative encourage concern LSGs to develop proposals for the potential tourism projects in their locality, which are derived from the ideas and suggestions evolved in discussions of Special Tourism Grama Sabhas. This participatory model tourism development project of RT Mission has not only developing the local economy, it also strengthen and develops the social and cultural setup of the locality.

4. Model RT Village Project

Model RT Village project is designed to develop the potential places as cent percent responsible tourism practising destinations. A set of activities to be completed by in the project area to become a model RT Village. RT Mission is doing this project in association with the respective LSG. Aymanam is the first Model RT Village of Kerala. The project is in progress at 15 other LSGs.

5. Kerala Agri Tourism Network

Kerala Agri Tourism Network is another important project of RT Mission to link the farmers and farming activity with tourism and generate additional income through tourism. The project also envisaged to promote agricultural activities and environmental protection through tourism.

6. Experience Ethnic Cuisine Project

Experience Ethnic/Local Cuisine Network is a project to support and promote the women folk in the local community to involve in tourism without any additional investment. Though this project RT Mission ensure the facility for the tourists to enjoy the authentic local cuisine in local houses which generates income to housewives/unit members who are participating in the project.