The Kerala Tourism is bringing out a classification system for Responsible Tourism in May for enterprises adopting such tourism practices. Efforts are on to spread Responsible Tourism initiatives, launched on a pilot basis in Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady, and Wayanad in 2008, to all the 14 districts.
The criteria for classification has been worked out by the newly formed Responsible Tourism Mission in line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). The norms have been customised for Kerala in view of the experiences of RT initiatives in the last10 years.
The classification system, a voluntary procedure that assesses, audits, and monitors, is an assurance to the holidayer that a business, product, process, service, or management system conforms to a specific standard.
Already, RT classification norms for homestays are in place. The Mission has come up with draft guidelines for the classification of 800 houseboats registered across the State. The guidelines for classification of ayurvedic centres, tour operators, and tented accommodation are being worked out.
Classification for farmstays is also being looked into. Now, 50-acre plantations and 15-acre farms are included in Green Farm Kerala. The move is to introduce farmstay concept by classifying 15-acre plantations and 3-acre farms in the State.
Director, Kerala Tourism, P. Bala Kiran said the RT Mission intended to submit the guidelines to the government within a month of holding meetings with stakeholders.
The RT Classification Committee will be headed by the Secretary, Tourism. The Director, Kerala Tourism, will be the convenor. Three experts will be from social, economic and environment fields. Two representatives each from the tourism accommodation providers and tour operators adhering to RT principles will be nominated by the government to the committee.
Evaluation process will involve site inspection and discussions with stakeholders. The classification certificate will be valid for three years. The units and services classified will get the logo and certificate for displaying.
