Responsible tourism to be extended to more areas: Chandy

The 'Responsible Tourism' model in Kerala's Kumarakom, which has won accolades for the state government from the UN's World Tourism Organisation last month, will be extended to 112 panchayats in the first phase, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Sunday.

"We want a tourism culture which is in sync with the environment and social culture of our state. The UNWTO Ulysses Award is a major recognition for our state and the people of Kumarakom," said Chandy, whose mother hails from Kumarakom village, which was also where he spent his childhood.

Felicitating the people behind the successful implementation of the model at a function here, he said it had opened up various revenue generating avenues for the local communities and its potential needed to be tapped further spur up tourism and economic growth.

The responsible tourism model focuses on three kinds of responsibilities which are termed as the 'triple bottom-line' - economic responsibility, social responsibility and environmental responsibility.

It generates greater economic benefits to local people and enhances the wellbeing of local communities.

State Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said the government wanted to make the model a major revenue generating model for local communities.

"The RT has been devised for the benefit of the common man. The benefits of the tourism sector should not be limited to a select few of industrialists and hoteliers instead it should benefit the local people," he said.