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Sankar Radhakrishnan

NGO bids to promote community-based tourism in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram , Sept. 13

Kabani, a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable tourism, is developing a network of home-stays in Kerala's Wayanad district.

According to Mr Sumesh Mangalassery, Secretary, Kabani, this initiative is based on the belief that home-stays are an effective way of promoting community-based tourism. The benefits of tourism must go back to local communities, he adds.

To begin with, 15 home-stays across Wayanad will be part of the network, he says. Kabani will provide training to the home-stay owners in areas such as waste management, and will also help them with tourism research. In addition, Kabani will help market the home-stay network, he says.

Tour package

As the first step in this direction, the organisation has developed a seven-day, home-stay-based tour package of Wayanad. The organisation's Web site, which is currently being revamped, will also be used to promote the home-stay network, Mr Mangalassery adds.

Meanwhile, Kabani is also creating another community-based tourism venture in Alappuzha district, he says. This venture is being launched in association with a local non-governmental organisation and will involve self-help groups in the area. By next year, the organisation hopes to offer a bouquet of community-based tourism experiences across Kerala, he adds.

Also on the cards is an "alternative tour guidebook" to Kerala, Mr Mangalassery says. This publication, which is expected to be released by March next year, focuses on the concept of "fair trade holidays in Kerala."

The guidebook will highlight tourism projects that contribute to the local economy and environment, he explains.

The book will also provide tourists with a different perspective on regular tourist attractions in Kerala, he adds.

More Stories on : Tourism | Strategy | Kerala

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