Tourism News

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Kerala is one of the top RT destinations in world, says Mr Harold Goodwin, father of RT

Mr Harold Goodwin, Jury Chairman of the World Tourism Market and Founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, said Kerala and Barcelona are the two leading destinations for Responsible Tourism (RT) in the world.

‘The Father of Responsible Tourism’ visited Maravanthuruth, Kumarakom and Kozhikode to review the activities undertaken by the RT Mission in Kerala. Mr Goodwin said the two destinations have a lot of similarities like strong democratic local government and transparency.

He appreciated the theme-based streets which were implemented in places, including Maravanthuruth. Such projects widen the scope of tourism activities by reducing the rush at main places.

He visited Maravanthuruth and took stock of the street tourism project. Mr Goodwin went around the village, saw Art and Water Streets, and witnessed the staging of art forms such as Garudan Thookkam, Kolkkali and Vattakkali. The Jury Chairman of the World Travel Market also visited Beypore and Kozhikode and reviewed the RT mission activities.

An Art Street to come up at Maravanthuruth
A 2-km long art street will come up at Maravanthuruth, which has opened the state’s first-ever water street for tourists. Tourists will get a chance to see the vibrant culture of Kerala’s murals splashed across the concrete walls.

The drawings will portray the flora and fauna, history, folklore, art forms, festivals, and traditional jobs, which include toddy tapping, of Kerala. Painting camps have been organised and artists will vivify compound walls and houses, adding colour and vibrancy to them. The artists are mobilised for free through Captains Social Foundation, a youth-led social enterprise.