THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kudumbashree, the driving forced behind Responsible Tourism (RT) movement in Kovalam, has begun an exploratory process to identify new commercial activities that will expand the base of the RT movement. The new project is supposed to bring in at least 100 more locals into the RT movement. The objective is to spot and pursue activities that were never part of the RT in the last decade and create linkages with the tourism industry in the area. The movement, which like erratic power supply had been continuously switched on and off in the beach destinastion, is trying to make a quiet revival in Kovalam.
A handful of hotels and resorts in the beach destination have resumed purchase from local units. As of now, some 40-odd RT production units employing 150 locals are increasing their bottomline by the month. The latest reconnaissance project is supposed to rope in at least 100 more locals into the RT movement. Laundry is one activity that Kudum-bashree has zeroed in for linkage with the industry. “There are a number of families in villages like Venganoor involved in laundry work. And they use a washing technique developed traditionally,” a senior Kudumbashree official said. “We are in talks with hotels and resorts in Kovalam and they seem interested,” he added.
Besides laundry, Kudumbashree is also planning to pick performers and artists in the area and form art and cultural groups. “These groups will stage performances for tourists either in a public place or in individual resorts,” the Kudumbashree official said. Exploring the production of new vegetables will also be part of the plan. As of now, the Kudumbashree farming units produce beans, brinjal, lady’s finger and bitter gourd. “Our plan is to produce exotic varieties like cauliflower, capsicum and cabbage that are more in demand in high-end resorts,” the Kudumbashree official said. Technical assistance for the farming units will be provided by the experts in College of Agriculture, Vellayani.
