entering into and investing in production, marketing and other areas of tourism; but they require technical support for preparing projects and implementing them in a feasible manner, he added. Among other major recommendations were, public-private partnership in promoting investment at the local level; and ensuring public health, safety and security systems at tourism destinations for sustainable growth. The issue of“ restructured ethnicity”, the cultural adaptation for the purpose of tourism, was a major discussion point at the session on the socio-cultural aspect of RT.
As a result of this adaptation locals lose their individual and cultural identities and it causes the public to become annoyed with tourism, said Shri M S Venugopal, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, who led the talk.“ This irritation may lead to protests and eventually the loss of the destination.
A collective effort involving hosts, locals as well as the guests has to be made to minimise cultural deterioration,” he said.
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Shri Jose Dominic, Managing Director, CGH Earth, proposed the idea of a“ mentorship clinic” where industry experts could come, hear out ideas from entrepreneurs wanting to set up micro enterprises, and provide them with advice on how to start the business.
He said sustainable and innovative ideas such as“ eco-camping” could also be promoted.“ This requires very little land, maybe an acre and a half. Guests can come with their own camping gear. All you need to do is provide them with basic facilities like water, toilets and some lights; attach Kudumbashree to that and maybe they can provide a simple meal too,” he said.
Shri. U V Jose, Addl. Director( Planning and Projects) said the Department of Tourism was fully supportive of eco-friendly projects. In Kumarakom the Department plans to develop six kilometres of cycling track along the canals this year, he informed.
“ We have identified the locations and it is a testament to the strength of responsible tourism that the local people are happy to open up their land for this initiative,” he said.
Delegates participated actively in the conference’ s open forum on Friday with suggestions including focus on“ geriatric tourism” as part of RT in view of the changing demographics around the globe; including transport modes such as flying into the sustainability scheme and encouraging group travel to reduce pollution; training for RT guides; setting targets for and reporting on carbon footprint of tourists at RT destinations.
Dr Rajashree Ajith, Director, KITTS, delivered the welcome address at the valedictory function. Dr Adama Bah, the Travel Foundation project coordinator for The Gambia also spoke on the occasion.
An exhibition was held along the sidelines of the conference featuring handicraft and indigenous products made at RT destinations across the state. The conference concluded on Saturday with site visits by the delegates around Kumarakom.
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