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Kochi: 22/03/2008: Civil society organizations and representatives of people's movements from various parts of Kerala, India organized a protest march against Kerala's irresponsible tourism practices and held a parallel people's Convention at Achuthamenon Hall, Eranakulam on "Irresponsible Tourism" under the banner of Kerala Tourism Watch. This convention was a response to the International Conference on Responsible Tourism held on 21st- 24th at Le Meridien in Kochi organized by Kerala Tourism and International Centre for Responsible Tourism- India.

Kochi: 22/03/2008: Civil society organizations and representatives of  people's movements from various parts of Kerala, India organized a  protest march against Kerala's irresponsible tourism practices and  held a parallel people's Convention at Achuthamenon Hall, Eranakulam on 'Irresponsible Tourism' under the banner of Kerala Tourism Watch.  They made their strong protest against the irresponsible practices of  Kerala Tourism. The groups made their reservations against the non  participatory nature of the present Responsible Tourism initiative of  Kerala Tourism. This convention was a response to the International  Conference on Responsible Tourism held on 21st - 24th at Le Meridien  in Kochi organized by Kerala Tourism and International Centre for  Responsible Tourism- India. Geo Jose made an introductory speech and  welcomed the gathering.

"Real Stakeholders distanced from Responsible Tourism"

Justice K.P.Radha Krishna Menon inaugurated the Convention. In his  speech he pointed out that "five Star International Responsible  Tourism conference in Kochi without involving real stake holders and common people will only come out with decisions favoring big players".

Kerala Tourism branding itself as Responsible Tourism is just a  marketing gimmick while it is not making any attempt to ameliorate the  damages created by its own harmful and irresponsible tourism practices. He reminded the Government that irresponsibility can never become responsible if it is given official sanction by the bureaucrats. Civil society and judiciary can act against this since this is a clear violation of the Constitution.

C.R Neelakandan a noted environmentalist and social activist who was  moderating the technical session pointed out the fact that the tax  revenue collected from tourism by the state government is less than the budgetary allocation made for tourism. He stressed the need for a periodical social auditing of tourism development in the state.

"Department of Tourism producing baseless statistics of Growth" 

Sri.Saroop Roy (Equations, Bangalore) said that the role of Local Self  Governments (LSG) is curtailed by an act passed by Kerala Legislative  assembly called Kerala Tourism (Conservation and preservation of areas) act 2005.According to the act the role of the LSGs is limited to looking in to whether the decisions made by a high level bureaucratic committee is followed in their jurisdiction. Equations  pointed out that Tourism industry and department of tourism are  producing baseless statistics and growth rate for getting more fund allocation and benefits for tourism industry.

Sri.Sumesh Mangalassery (KABANI - the other direction) said that the recent activity of Kerala Tourism shows that there are no fundamental changes in the way department is developing tourism within the state. He pointed out that while sidelining social and environment responsibility and giving importance to economic responsibility the role of the local people is just limited as suppliers of vegetables.  The proposed construction of an artificial reef in Kovalam with  Tsunami Rehabilitation Fund was not consulted with the Destination Level Responsible Tourism Committee formed under the Responsible Tourism initiative. Then what is the rationale of such committees he asked.

"Responsible tourism- a Globalization Agenda"

Magline Peter from the Coastal Fisherwomen Forum said that there is no space for local communities especially the marginalized for voicing their concerns over tourism projects and to be involved in the planning process. Sainudheen, President of Solidarity Youth Movement pointed out that Responsible Tourism initiative is part of the globalization agenda.

The speakers representing various organizations, civil society and people's movements such as M.N.Giri (Kerala Congress Secular), Sreekumar (Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi) Yesudas Varapuzha (Periyar Malineekarana Samithi), Robin (Keraleeyam), Elias, Gopinathan (KSSP), P.L.John Kutty, Fr. Prasanth spoke on the occasion and raised their concerns regarding the noe-liberal economic paradigm that underlies Kerala Tourism's responsible tourism initiative. They emphasized that the initiative yet another move to cover up the growing maladies of Kerala Tourism such as child sex, marginalization and displacement of the poor, destruction of people's livelihood in the name of tourism development and eroticization and feminization of women's work.

Representatives of 15 organisations and many individuals attended the conference and cautioned Kerala Tourism for more protests if government is not addressing the concerns of affected people.A draft Kerala Civil society declaration on responsible tourism presented in the convention and will be released on 24th thorugh a media conference at Eranakulam.

Protest March to the Venue of International Responsible Tourism Conference 

Earlier in the day local community leaders and civil society activists marched to the venue of the International Responsible Tourism Conference protesting it elitist agenda, complicity in propagating neo-liberal commercial tourism and non-inclusive character. Scores of  people participated in the march braving heavy rains. They raised slogans against the indifference and apathy of Kerala's Tourism Department towards the victims of tourism and condemned its joint ventures with pro-industry International Organizations like ICRT. The peaceful and nonviolent protest was blocked by the police close to the venue (Hotel Le Meridien).

URL: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/394543.html