Learn from us – Responsible Tourism success model @ Kumarakom

Responsible tourism is an innovative and far reaching concept of tourism which focused on the enhancement of community benefit, maximizing positive social impacts and minimizing negative environmental impacts of tourism. It is the first ever coordinated initiative of implementing responsible tourism in the world. The initiative at Kumarakom was honored by different national and international recognition. 

This trip leads you to the interiors of Kumarakom and provides you an opportunity to learn and hear the success stories.


For booking, Contact us Gramika Tours :09995809975, 09745482028, 0471-3084500

Timings	09.00am to 6.00 pm
Tariff	50 us$ per pax (2500 INR) (minimum 3 pax)
Package include	Cost of transportation, Guide fee, Community contribution,& development fund, refreshment and complementary gift pack
Package does not include	Boating, cycling, additional beverage and purchases
Package highlights
·      Samrudhi Shop ·      Interaction with Kudumbsree members ·      Murali’s  Handicraft making ·      Panchayath ( Local Self Government) ·      Talk and taste (Visit partnering hotel) ·      Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary ·      Fish farm Samrudhi Shop

Samrudhi shop is a procurement supply centre operated by women group under the banner of Kudumbsree (Program of Government of Kerala for women empowerment). This units cultivates, procure and supply products and vegetables. As a part of responsible tourism initiative local community is selling their local vegetables, perishable and non-perishable products to the hotels and resorts. Community groups have an agreement with 15 major hotels and resorts.  More than 600 women, 500 farmers and 612 homesteads are engaged in this activity and earning money through this initiative. Around 200 families are earning economic benefit through responsible tourism Kumarakom initiative. Before starting this initiative in Kumarakom, majority of the products were sourced from other states by industries. It made a significant role in employment generation, food security, income generation and women empowerment. As mentioned earlier around 2000 family members earn from tourism. As per the reports total community benefit in Kumarakom from 2008 March to June 2010 is Rs. 45, 60872 ($approx.). In this Kudumbsree (women groups), homestead farmers and large scale farmers contributed 51%, 18 and 31 respectively.

Interaction with Kudumbsree members

Kudumbree units are the integral part responsible tourism initiative in Kumarkom. When the RT implementation was planned, Kudumbashree units were recognized as the local community groups that could help in production and distribution to enable the economic responsibility of the RT concept. These units are also seen as an enhancement to the role of women in contributing to the economic and social activities. This led to women empowerment and poverty eradication in destinations. You can see the different ventures of women group like eco friendly bag units, souvenir unit; micro enterprises etc. from the destination and interact with them freely.

Murali’s  Handicraft making

Tourists visiting any particular destination usually like to carry with them small items typically produced in the place of visit as mementoes of their visit. Kumarakom can now boast of its own symbolic souvenir item and a growing souvenir industry largely due to RT Initiative. A local crafts man who was struggling to survive in the extreme poverty conditions was assisted in making models of boats and houseboats which are typical tourist attractions of tourism. These mementoes are crafted by using screw pines which are locally available in plenty. The production of these souvenirs by the local craftsman attracted the attention of the hotel industry and contracted exclusive marketing rights through their outlets. It has led to accelerated growth of souvenir industry and the consequent benefits to the craftsman which pushed him above the poverty line during a short period.

Panchayath ( Local Self Government)

Local self government has the lead role in responsible tourism implementation. The coordination and leadership of implementation process is by the local panchayat. Kumarakom is the first ever panchayat in India which effectively coordinates responsible tourism. Panchayat has a significance role in coordinating micro enterprises, production units, N.G.O’s and industry partners.

Talk and taste (Visit partnering hotel)

Now we move to one of our industry partners of responsible tourism who made some worth full contribution to this initiative. We can spend some time with hotel authority and their experience with responsible tourism initiatives. They offer us a delicious food after this discussion.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom bird sanctuary is one of the major attractions of Kumarakom destination. As part of the environmental initiative of responsible tourism, the bird sanctuary declared as the plastic free zone. Now you can visit there and watch how this is implemented there.

Fish farm

The resource mapping exercise identified as many as   twenty six   un-used ponds with reasonable water levels in all the seasons. The RT Cell took up the cleaning of these ponds and promoted fish cultivation in twenty ponds and lotus cultivation in six ponds by the local community. The tourism industry provided a ready market for the produce of the fish farms and lotuses. It thus had a positive impact on improving the living conditions of local community. You can visit some of the interesting fish farms which cultivate edible as well as ornamental fishes.