Kumarakom has proved that Responsible Tourism, which speaks of tourism gains trickling down to the local population, is not a mere theoretical possibility. Five years after it was officially launched, RT initiatives have generated local economic activity worth lakhs, provided employment for nearly 1,000 families and inspired priceless environmentally-sound practices.

 

United Nations World Travel Organisation will replicate the Kumarakom model across the world. Kumarakom RT’s cultivation units — farming groups that produce vegetables, plantains and coconuts — alone employ 800 people. Besides, there are production units such as candle, pickles, cloth bag, paper bag, dustbin bag units. These together employ nearly 100 skilled craftsmen. The locals were given special training before making the units operational,” said Rupesh Kumar, state-level RT filed coordinator.

 

The RT mechanism in Kumarakom now has a well-oiled mechanism for industry-local linkage. There are supply groups to collect produce from the sources and supply them to hotels.