Kerala   

Bowled over by Kumbalangi

Enjoying the moment: Chairman of World Travel Market Fiona Jeffrey and Chief Executive Officer of Cape Town Tourism Mariette du Toit-Helmbound at Kumbalangi.

The preservation and conservation of nature, environment and ecology as well as sustainable tourism development at Kumbalangi, the country’s first model tourism village in Kochi, has come in for praise from stake-holders of the word tourism industry.

The visit to Kumbalangi was an experience beyond compare for over 50 delegates of the second international conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations. Many, including Chairman of the World Travel Market Fiona Jeffrey were taken aback by the legendary beauty and vivacity of Kerala and the people leading a simple life centred on nature.

The traditional welcome offered on reaching Gramam Homestay, toddy tapping, visit to crab farm, coir processing unit, lowering of Chinese fishing nets, organic farm and taste of the divine cuisine were all new to the visitors from the country and abroad.

Many, including Ms. Jeffrey came forward to taste the toddy offered by the toddy-tappers at the invitation of former Minister for Tourism K.V. Thomas. “It is sweeter compared to what we get from the oil palms,” an excited Maurice Philips and Geri Mitch from Gambia said.

The visit to Kallancherry, the heart of Kumbalangi tourism village, in country boats was a unique experience to the visitors. Many were surprised at the two full grown crabs that were ready to be transported to Chennai.

Chief Executive Officer, Cape Town Tourism, Mariette du Toit-Helmbound, who is on her first visit to the country, was elated to see women engaged in coir processing with swiftness.

An old lady presented her with a bangle made of coir as a souvenir. “You can see the heart of the people. It is nice to see that the locals are benefited from tourism. I am happy that I visited Kerala during the maiden visit,” said Ms. Helmbound.

The visitors also got an opportunity to savour ethnic cuisine offered by Kudumbasree members. ‘Pachorum’ ‘neerum’ and ‘chukku kappi’ was in great demand among the visitors.

Bowled over by the beauty and simplicity of the village, Ms. Jeffrey said she would fly down next time to Kochi along with her family for a holiday at Kumbalangi. “It is a fantastic place.

The vegetation is fascinating. It is incredibly green. I have never seen such a green landscape and lush coconut groves,” she said.

“It is nice to see that tourism brings revenue to the local community. Kumbalangi is a classic example of Responsible Tourism and sustainable tourism development,” Ms. Jeffrey who is on her maiden visit to God’s Own Country, said.

Shaji Kuruppassery, secretary of the Kumbalangi Model Tourism Development Society, told the visitors how the standard of living of the villagers has gone up and improvement made in infrastructure facilities once the model project was launched.

Over 8,000 tourists, including 2,000 from abroad, had visited the village last year.

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

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