LONG WAY TO GO
Towards safer, saner, greener –tourism.
Partnership for better tourism
With its dedication to sustainable tourism, Wayanad Tourism Organisation has become synonymous to Responsible Tourism. Started in 1992 with 8 members, we have crossed many mile stones and stood united against many crises that surfaced from nowhere. But we had full faith in common people and the society. We believed things would change if we tirelessly pursue our dreams for a better, saner, greener and ---- tourism model with better participation of local communities.
Thanks for our selfless quest and matchless sincerity shown by all members; we have proved better things could happen in tourism. Today Wayanad is known for its friendly people, less commercialised tourism environment, the serenity of nature and the safety of the visitors all over the nations.
Rather than a client-firm relationship we have succeeded in catching the hearts of our visitors.
With its nature friendly architecture, love for greenery and concern for eco-system, a “Wayanad Tourism Brand” has been established in the world over. We treat our guests are our own family members. And the recurring visitors underline our success.
However, the spade work started generating results and the destination catapulted to one of the most ‘sought after’ hideaway green-spot by eco-tourists. Instead of concrete jungles, here we promoted tourism in tune with the nature. Here tourism is still what that co-exists with nature. Rather than any green activist, we can say with proud, we always fought against the import of destructive tourism trends into Wayanad.
Down memory line, in the days it started, the name tourism was an alien word in the local dialect. The word itself reminded some sort of sin for the ordinary man. But, the organisation led by the bravest minds of the industry, through consistent efforts won the minds of local people. The beneficiary base has been widened.
Fruit vending children of view point at Lakkidy, lined up petti-shops, hundreds of home stays run by farmers, lining-up curio shops run by women and busy crafts men all are direct beneficiaries of tourism. From the child-vendor in the street to the multi-million industrialist, everybody has realised the value of tourism.
The farmers of remote villages, those who cursed their destiny once, are happy men now. Before tourism there were no buyers for their lands. But now big hotel groups and resorts chains are waiting in queue for his land. And he proudly says, “I am not ready to sell my land.” Gladly, the self respect is restored.
Many inaccessible and less known tourism spots were catapulted to fame. Edakkal, a tiny hamlet tucked away in the lap of Ambukuthi Hills that nestles the pre-historic site of cave men, now has two dozen curio shops, about a dozen taxi vehicles and in the last three years land value has jumped from Rs.3000/ cent to 40 thousand / cent. And interestingly no farmer is ready to sell his land. Most of the farmers who own land also run a small curio shop. It would fetch-in an additional income for him. And it is sustainable tourism.
Tourism is not an anathema in this land. Children of many schools get trained in the activities through tourism clubs. Many housewives with the help of their husbands are successfully running home-stays. Now WTO has 28 members. It is a boon that we have likeminded people in our team. WTO is expanding, but in a rather slow pace. We don’t want to compromise in tastes, treatment, principals and the quality of service providing to our guests.
Apart from coordinating the activities, WTO also found happiness to ensure a damage-free environment. Wherever there are possibilities to restore greenery, the WTO members are keen on not to miss the chance to strengthen the nature. Much before the tourism terminology ‘Responsible Tourism’ gained currency in tourism circles; the members of WTO had been practicing it here.
WTO has been organising routine cleaning sessions in all tourism spots of the district with the support of District Tourism Promotion Council and other government agencies. As the key player in the industry, in all the major tourism related projects and issues, the organisation chipped in its share of wisdom. We organised seminars, work shops, Ad. Campaign and continuously interacted with the media for better tourism initiatives.