Kochi: In what might result in the development of the region and better livelihood for residents, the Responsible Tourism initiatives will be implemented in Fort Kochi, one among ten new RT destinations, starting from Wednesday.
“The main complaint of tourists about the state is that it has got no nightlife. We’re aiming to provide the same by focusing on an experiential tourism package at new RT destinations like Fort Kochi," K. Rupesh Kumar, RT Mission coordinator, told DC.
"We’ll facilitate tent and farm stays beside the traditional homestay to tourists. Such programmes will include storytelling and cultural sessions to help them get a feel of the region which site-seeing trip can’t provide.” Besides Fort Kochi, the new RT destinations include Dharmadam, Varkala, Poovar, Ashtamudi, Alappuzha and Muhamma.
“Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate a one-day workshop on Responsible Tourism in Fort Kochi on Wednesday as part of kickstarting the project there,” he said.
Under the initiative, the tourism department will also provide job-oriented skill training that would indirectly cater to the tourism sector.
“One way is to help them market and sell their local products such as seafood,” he said.
The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) too has chipped in by providing training to 294 local auto and taxi drivers to enable them to work as Responsible Tourism chauffeurs.
“Usually when a ship arrives, half the tourists will have done no prior booking of tourist trips. Such customers can avail half-day or full-day city tour packages or to any other existing packages (to destinations within the district) by availing the online auto or taxi services. The drivers will add up as tourist escorts and provide them with all necessary information,” said DTPC secretary S. Vijayakumar.
Meanwhile, the RT Mission selected Amballoor and Koovappady to be developed as tourism villages under its PEPPER (People’s Participation for Participatory Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism) project.
“Under the project, the local communities through grama sabha can decide on tourism activities. We decided to extend the programme following the success of the pilot project implemented in Vaikom,” Mr Kumar said.
