In a competition that rewards local guides and services for travelers in developing countries, Thani Illam, a homestay in Kerala has bagged the top honour. The competition is promoted by Leap Local, an organization with interest in print and web business with focus on travel and tour. Leap Local was co-founded by Dr. Nicola Dee of Cambridge England and Louise Norton of Peru.
Thani Illam was adjudged the best local guide and service provider after taking into account its local cultural tours and experiences, including wildlife, dance, Ayurvedic/natural medicine and wonderful home-cooked meals. Their selection was also based on other notable aspects like peaceful ambience, settings of a rural homestay and the guest treated like members of the family running the homestay. Further, the judges of Leap Local find the homestay as a great opportunity to learn about Hinduism, Ayurveda, and Kerala history.
All contestants were judged on the quality of experience they provided to the traveler, their eco- impact and what they gave back to their community. Thani Illam was praised for being the most memorable experience in a full year of travelling by one of their many enthusiastic reviewers.
The competition process started with tourist-reviews on Leap Local website judged by an international panel of responsible tourism experts; including journalists and authors. The five judges each picked six winning guides and services and then debated the results during an exciting live online conference. Thani Illam was chosen by all judges.
The reviews on Leap Local are supposed to be posted by tourists for tourists. Leap Local’s goal is to keep tourism dollars in the pockets of local communities. Sponsors of the competition, such as Go Outdoors from the UK, have provided prizes of sporting gear, while other sponsors are awarding free promotion to the winners. This is a big deal to guides who don’t have the ability to advertise to an international market.
Leap Local is ranked number 15 in the Independent newspaper’s “50 best travel websites.” The next Leap Local competition will be held at the end of 2009.
