To make tourism industry more reliable and sustainable and for the proper implementation of new tourism practices, Kerala is getting ready to impart lessons on this to all those engaged in the industry across the globe. Responsible Tourism (RT), the new trend in tourism sector in several parts of the globe has made much progress in Kerala. For this, a school meant for teaching Responsible Tourism would soon be set up in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.

Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS), the nodal agency appointed to implement Responsible Tourism in the State is all set to launch this project. The proposed school will give training to bureaucrats and administrators in the State and also to local people. The training will be a capacity-building programme for those who are part of the tourism initiative.

This two-year training programme will cover topics like good energy management, waste management, better environment practices and water management.

Kerala’s Tourism Policy 2012 was recently released by Mr.OommenChandy, the Chief Minister of Kerala. The policy aims to convert Kerala into an all-season destination and market Kerala as a visible global brand with equal focus on domestic and international markets.

According to the new policy, Ayurveda, backwaters, adventure, eco-tourism, MICE and medical tourism will be developed and promoted as special tourism products along with Responsible Tourism. The policy also ensures fast-track clearance for tourism projects with an investment of above Rs. 100 million.

Also part of the new policy are suggestions to build new accommodation units of less than 30 rooms in six northern districts – Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad. The policy also focuses on increasing the tourist arrivals in both foreign and domestic segments. The new policy targets 3 million foreign tourist arrivals and 18 million domestic tourist arrivals by 2021.

The Tourism Ministry launched ‘Clean India’ campaign, after a survey conducted in some selected tourist destinations by the ministry revealed hygiene and sanitation conditions were repelling tourists — both foreign and domestic.”The success of the Clean India campaign is crucial to achieve the targeted growth in tourists arrivals during the 12th Plan,” Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said at a Clean India Campaign workshop.

The ministry has set a target of achieving 12 percent growth during the 12th five-year plan and also aims at increasing the current figure of 5.7 million tourists visiting India to six million annually.”We want to carry out the action plan with involvement of both public and private sectors in keeping our monuments, beaches, stations, bus stops and other destinations clean,” said Sahay. “We will be conducting similar workshops in states also and a concrete action plan will be finalised by April next year”, he said

The Tourism Ministry launched ‘Clean India’ campaign, after a survey conducted in some selected tourist destinations by the ministry revealed hygiene and sanitation conditions were repelling tourists — both foreign and domestic.

“The success of the Clean India campaign is crucial to achieve the targeted growth in tourists arrivals during the 12th Plan,” Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said at a Clean India Campaign workshop.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the Month of November, 2011 was 6.37 lakh as compared to FTAs of 6.08 lakh during the month of November, 2010 and 5.41 lakh in October, 2009.There has been a growth of 4.7pc in November, 2011 over November, 2010 as compared to a growth of 12.3 pc registered in November 2010 over November, 2009.

 The growth rate of 4.7pc in November 2011 is lower than 11pc growth rate observed in October, 2011 over October 2010. FTAs during the period January-November, 2011 were 55.75 lakh with a growth of 9.4pc , as compared to the FTAs of 50.96 lakh with a growth of 11.9 pc during January-November 2010 over the corresponding period of 2009. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of November 2011 were Rs. 7941 crore as compared to Rs. 6516 crore in November 2010 and Rs 5523 crore in November 2009.

 FEE in USUSD terms during the month of November 2011 were USUSD 1566 million as compared to FEE of USUSD 1448 million during the month of November 2010 and USD 1185 million in November 2009. The growth rate in FEE in USUSD terms in November 2011 over November 2010 was 8.1pc as compared to the growth of 22.2 pc in November 2010 over November 2009.