Thiruvananthapuram: To give a big boost to its globally acclaimed Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, the Kerala Government has approved a raft of projects worth Rs 6.64 crores to implement various initiatives in different destinations in the state.
The projects aim to bolster and diversify the offerings under the Responsible Tourism initiative during 2024-25, with an emphasis on sustainability and inclusiveness.
As per the Government Orders (GOs) issued in this regard, the total amount of Rs 66,499,621 approved by the government for these initiatives includes the Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission, besides enhancing the facilities and services in the destinations concerned as the main thrust. This includes the government’s earlier approval of Rs 89,81,240 lakh for materializing the first phase of RT Mission Society projects in 2024-25.
The initiative will benefit destinations such as the RT Mission Society Training Centre at Kumarakom and the Beypore Integrated RT Development Project. Of the amount, the Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission will get Rs 1,81,09,000 while approval has been given for Rs 1,15,00,000 for implementing the Beypore Integrated RT Development Project.
An amount of Rs one crore has been earmarked for promotion and marketing activities since RT has made significant contributions in marking Kerala as an all-season experiential destination. About Rs 90,99,381 has been approved for materializing the second phase of Kerala RT Mission Society 2024-25 projects and for the continuation of Participatory Tourism Development Projects, Rs 50,00,000 will be disbursed.
The destinations where the follow-up of RT projects have been planned are Valiyaparamba, Bedadukka, Dharmadam, Pinarayi, Anjarakandy, Kadalundi, Koodaranji, Kooracundu, Nelyadi, Chekadi, Thirunelli, Nelliyampathi, Thiruvilwamala, Thrithala, Pattithara, Muhamma, Chembu, Kumarakom, Maravanthuruthu, Kanthalloor, Vattavada, Aranmula, Mundrothuruthu, Anchuthengu, Sambranikodi, Panangad, Vellarada, Amboori and Vithura.
Moreover, for the training programmes of RT Mission, Rs 38,10,000 has been set aside. The Training Centre at Kumarakom will organize programmes on integrating digital marketing and artificial intelligence (AI) in the tourism sector, besides training for people’s representatives, community tour leaders, promoters of homestays, farm and agri tourism, serviced villas and ethnic cuisine.
Developing grassroots-level tourism, linking it with the tourism industry, promoting sustainable and gender-inclusive models and generating jobs and income for local communities are the basic objectives of Kerala RT.