The fishing communities and coastal dwellers in Kerala have intensified their struggle against the attempt to utilize Government of India’s Tsunami Rehabilitation fund for building tourism infrastructure. The representatives of people living in the coastal areas, such as Tsunami Rehabilitation Action Council, Fish Workers Federation, Kerala Tourism Watch, Janamunnettam and various other organizations have criticized the Tourism Department’s decision to implement what is called 'Ente Theeram' project for tourism development using substantial chunk from the Rs 1441.75 crore sanctioned for the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project by the Union Government.

Dear friends,
Warm Greetings from Kerala Tourism Watch!

It was the other day the UNWTO at its annual ritual of official Tourism Day Celebration falling on 27th of every September tried to reassure an increasingly skeptical local communities that Tourism growth will be pursued with enhanced emphasis “on ethics and local community involvement…” This, it declared “is the main conclusion of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) Think Tank” held in Lima, Peru. The UNWTO in its statement also emphasized that “Tourism must grow in a smart way”.

We bring to your attention an example of such “smart ways” of tourism growth. It comes from Kerala where, in an a appalling violation of Federal Government rules and procedures and fundamental ethical protocols, funds earmarked for rehabilitation of Tsunami victims have been appropriated for Tourism development projects by Kerala Tourism. Will the UNWTO listen?

Executive Summary

The Tourism Department of Kerala is using substantial funds allocated from the state shar under the Central Government of India’s Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme (TRP) to fund 20 tourism projects. In violation to the Planning Commission guidelines, these projects are not in tsunami-affected areas. Furthermore, the projects will bring hardly any benefit to local people, particularly marginalised affected fishing communities, and in many cases will place their land, livelihoods and traditional way of life under renewed threat. They are being done in the name of coastal protection while they are all for the development of tourism infrastructure and so-called beautification of beaches.

The London based Tourism Concern asks supporters “to lobby the Government of Kerala of the diversion of tsunami rehabilitation meant for rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of tsunami-affected communities in Kerala, India, to develop tourism”. Read the briefing document from Tourism Concern Riding the wave: Tsunami rehabilitation funds diverted for tourism and see the campaign call to send fax messages to the Chief Minister for Kerala and the Minister for Tourism expressing concern over the diversion of tsunami rehabilitation funds for the development of tourism.

EQUATIONS raises concern on the way in which public consultations have been arranged by CEE. It is noted that in many places CEE failed to include complete participation from all stakeholders. The question arises whether CEE had sent letters to a wide range of the stakeholders in the state and had informed them about the dates of the meeting and the venue? While the schedule is available on the website of CEE, many communities and movements do not have ready access to internet or use it as the regular mode of communication. Informing them sufficiently in advance and ensuring that they participate, their voices are heard and their concerns are documented and responded to is most critical, as they represent the most vulnerable communities on the coast.

Letter to Tourism Authorities in India/Kerala from International Organizations supporting the demand for the Closure of Trivandrum Golf Club

From Tourism investigation & monitoring team (tim-team), On behalf of the Global Anti-Golf Course Movement's (GAG'M).

Coordinating groups: Third World Network (TWN); Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), Malaysia; Friends of the Earth (FoE), Malaysia; Tourism Investigation & Monitoring Team (tim-team) Thailand; Global Network for Anti-Golf Course Action (GNAGA), Japan; Helping Our Peninsula's Environment (HOPE), USA; GAG'M liaison initiative UK (Desmond Fernandes)

Additional signatories: Forest Peoples Programme (FPP), United Kingdom; Tourism Action Group, Philippines 

Joint Statement from KERALA TOURISM WATCH, EQUATIONS & KABANI – the other direction

Statement urges Kerala Government to abandon the Trivandrum golf course. It should be converted as a public bio diversity park for conservation and education. Abusing the public resources for protecting the hobby of few vested elites in the city can no longer be permitted.

K C Santhoshkumar

The report prepared as part of a research study conducted by Delhi Forum on SEZ concludes that the Bekal Special Tourism Area, fifteen years after coming into being, is nowhere near achieving its announced objective of creating a planned, eco-friendly and sustainable "Beach Resort Tourism" destination. Ecologically sensitive areas have been acquired for construction activities violating the CRZ. The commons and lands where the lowest in the social strata eke out their livelihood have been handed over for resort development. The endemic bio-diversity is adversely affected by construction, eutrophication, pollution and introduction of exotic species

Several South-based groups and networks involved in tourism issues expressed their concern about the theme of the World Tourism Organization's World Tourism Day – 27 September 2007: "TOURISM OPENS DOORS FOR WOMEN".

Read below:

(1) Tourism Action Group's (TAG) Statement "TAG CHALLENGES UNWTO: "CLOSE THE DOORS TO SEX TOURISM !"

(2) Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism's (ECOT)- statement "TOURISM OPENS DOORS FOR WOMEN – DOES IT?"

27 September 2007
Opening Doors is not enough – Equality, Equity and Empowerment is what women seek in Tourism

Joint statement by Alternatives (Goa), Council for Social Justice and Peace (Goa), EQUATIONS (Bangalore) and Sakhi Resource Centre for Women (Kerala)