Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism has decided to implement Responsible Tourism practices in four destinations in the State on a pilot basis.

A 40-member committee comprising representatives of the stakeholders of the tourism industry, which held a meeting here on Saturday, decided to implement the practices in Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad.

The committee was set up to formulate a plan of action and implement Responsible Tourism on the recommendation of a two-day workshop held here in February.

The meeting also constituted four working groups for formulating the action plan in the social, economic and environment sectors. The groups would be headed by Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation K. G. Mohanlal; Additional Director, Planning and Projects, Kerala Tourism U.V. Jose, and Director of Eco-tourism T.P. Narayanankutty, respectively.

As part of taking the initiative forward, it was decided to hold a meeting of the stakeholders of the tourism industry of the State and the elected representatives of local bodies of Wayanad in Kalpetta on May 6.

The meeting of all in the tourism industry of Kumarakom would be held on May 7, Kovalam (May 8) and Thekkady on May 16.

A cell comprising a team leader, project assistant and a computer expert would be set up in the Tourism Directorate and at the local level in the four destinations identified for the pilot project.

The cell would identify the social, cultural, economic and environment indicators. The volunteers of the Kudumbasree would be roped in to carry out local resource survey in the four destinations.

Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu, who chaired the meeting, said the Government would ensure that the incentives given by the department to the stakeholders was linked to Responsible Tourism. The stakeholders would also have to henceforth provide documentary proof to obtain incentives from the department.

The meeting also decided to organise awareness campaigns to spread the message of Responsible Tourism in the State.

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