Statistics Book 2007.pdf - Kerala Tourism

of niche tourism products and markets increased local significance in tourism and micro destination
gained popularity across the world.
Kerala, popularly branded as God’s Own Country officially declared tourism as an industry in 1986.
Though in the beginning only scanty attention was given to tourism in the development agenda of state’s
economy, gradually the situation changed and today it is reckoned as one of the most dynamic sectors in
Kerala. Realising the economic significance of tourism, the state government has initiated new and
innovative programmes, which have resulted in placing the state at an enviable position among its
counterparts. Today, this narrow strip of land offers wide variety of tourism products and a lion’s share
of them are nature / culture based. The new initiatives and globally acceptable practices in the tourism
sector enabled the state to bag good number of national as well as international awards and recognitions.
In terms of tourist arrivals as well as receipts the performance of the state is above national average.
The compound growth rate of domestic and foreign tourists to India for the period from 1991 to 2005 is
estimated as 13.28 percent and 6.24 percent respectively. During the same period Kerala achieved 14
percent growth in domestic tourist arrivals and 12 percent in international arrivals. As per the estimate
made by State Planning Board (2007), Government of Kerala, tourism generates ten lakh employment
opportunities and Rs. 9126 crores as income.
11.2.1 Local Impact of Tourism
A pertinent question in this context is that how far the local economy is benefited out of this commendable
growth that the state has achieved during the last two decades. An examination of tourism attractions in
Kerala shows that most of them are local specific. The beaches, backwaters, hill stations, scenic spots,
heritage, art forms etc. are developed as tourism products imbibing the local ambience. However, it is
observed that the industry is promoted mainly by business people who belong to places other than the
destination. Experience over tourism development has raised several questions particularly on its economic
aspects. Questions related to use of resources including manpower, employment generated, income
generated, leakages from tourism and linkages of tourism are discussed to examine the local impact of
tourism in any region. If a region has to develop economically due to tourism, tourism should strengthen
the economic variables at the destination. This in turn depends on the involvement of local people in
tourism as well as its linkages. More over, these involvements and linkages will definitely reduce leakages
and accentuate the multiplier process both in income and employment. Notwithstanding the fact that
tourism is propagated as a sunrise sector in the economy of Kerala, no serious attempts have been made
to examine the local benefits of tourism. Deliberations on the benefits always focus on macro level and
discussions on micro level are not properly promoted. In this backdrop, an attempt is made to examine
the local impact of tourism development in Kerala giving emphasis to economic aspect. The outcome is
expected to help policy makers for framing action programmes so as to enhance the economic benefit to
local people.
The Study Area
Given the tourism scenario of Kerala, we have identified three destinations namely, Kovalam, Kumarakom,
and Thekkady for examining the local impacts. All these three destinations are popular among both
domestic and foreign tourists. While Kovalam is famous as a beach destination, Thekkady is famous for
wildlife and the speciality of Kumarakom is the backwaters.
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