Thiruvananthapuram,   11/02/2006.  KABANI,   a   voluntary   organization   in   Kerala,  urges the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to abandon its decision to  consider Kerala tourism for the best destination award.  KABANI  wants WTTC to  recognize that the current malpractices, lack of transparency and non­participatory  tourism projects based on ill­conceived policies in Kerala are causing tremendous  damages   to   the   vulnerable   and   marginalised   communities   in   Kerala.   Evils   of  tourism such as the commercial sexual exploitation of children are rampant in the  state. “At this stage, Kerala tourism is not at all a role model of sustainability”, says  KABANI.

WTTC representatives are currently carrying out an onsite verification visit in order to  assess Kerala’s eligibility for the WTTC’s ‘Tourism for Tomorrow Award’ 2006. They are  looking for ‘best practice’ in tourism development.

We understand that the Tourism Department has painted a one­sided and biased picture of  Kerala   tourism.   If   the   WTTC   panel   shows   the   determination   to   talk   to   a   more  representative cross section of stakeholders, they will be able to understand that Kerala  tourism is not a sustainable tourism development model by any international standards.

Sumesh   Mangalassery  from  KABANI  points   out   that   “rather,   the   recently   introduced tourism   legislations   are   undermining   the   legitimate   powers   of   local   democratic institutions, thus negating people’s participation in tourism. The Kerala Local Authorities Entertainment (Amendment) Bill 2004 has weakened local bodies, depriving them of several millions of rupees tax revenue due to them, which could be used for regenerating local  economies. The tourism policies in Kerala are stifling the local  economies  and depriving   local   communities   of   their   livelihood   systems.   The   Kerala   Tourism (Conservation & Preservation of Areas) Act 2005 effectively strips local bodies of their powers by constituting a committee dominated by bureaucrats, and by stating that no development activity may be carried out in so­called “special tourism zones” except by permission of the committee.

We would like to remind the WTTC panel that according their own criteria, a destination that   wins   their   award   “will   be   able   to   demonstrate   maximum   positive   benefits   and minimum negative impacts, as well as the adoption of planning and policies that promote sustainability”. Kerala tourism, however, has a strong record of proving that planning, policies and regulations to date have not effectively addressed major problems caused by tourism. These include the unsustainable extraction of ground water in tourism spots such as Kovalam, which is causing a serious lack of drinking water for local communities. Problems also include the pollution of the backwaters by the tourism industry, especially the increasing number of houseboats. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations by hotels and resorts are a serious concern in the state, and so is the uncontrolled tourism development in Kovalam and Kumarakom, which has lead to many environmental and social problems. Prostitution including the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Kovalam and Varkala is rampant. Sustainable waste management systems are completely lacking in the state.

KABANI urges the WTTC panel to meet a broader range of civil society representatives to understand   the   true   nature   of   tourism   development   in   the   state.   Any   decision   taken without listening and responding to the voices of voluntary organizations in Kerala will tantamount to neglect of the acceptable international practices of screening processes for such widely respected awards.

It has been clearly demonstrated that the claim that “tourism is a vehicle for developing the environment” in the state is highly questionable at best and unfounded at worst. So is Kerala’s   unsubstantiated   claim   about   “success   in   maintaining   a   policy   of   sustainable management incorporating social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects as well as multi­stakeholder engagement” – a key criterion for any WTTC destination award.

According to KABANI, the mere adoption of planning and policies that may or may not at some point in the more or less distant future promote sustainability is not sufficient for giving’Tourism   for   Tomorrow   Award’   to   Kerala   as   a   destination.   We   therefore   urge WTTC panel to meet civil society representatives to get a more balanced view of the processes   of   tourism   packaging   and   its   negative   impacts   upon   the   marginalised   and vulnerable communities and Kerala’s fragile environment.

For more information:
KABANI ­ the other direction
Sumesh Mangalassery
TC17/1982(1), Palace View Road,
Poojapura, TVM
Ph: 9447546584
E­mail: kabanitour@yahoo.com, info@kabani.org
www.kabani.org