[Reader-list] [GreenYouth] Kerala - Convention on Irresponsible Tourism in Kerala

Anivar Aravind anivar.aravind at gmail.com
Sun Mar 23 11:57:22 IST 2008 

I think my reply to deepak is not appeared on readers list (sorry for
crossposting)


deepak p wrote:
 > i can hardly resist from replying to this email.. why do u guys luk upon
 > evrything in a negative way.. i am in no way related to the icrt
 > conference.. but believe that its a good initiative.. lets see what ur
 > major complaints are:


First of all, we have not figured the campaign as a negative one. I
 think  Deepak is not carefully read the points we raised. We are trying

to bring the concern that the present discussion is not participative.
 The department and industry is giving an image that all are moving
 towards Responsible Way. But at the same time the present tourism
 development in the state is continuing with no difference in practice.

 If you want more examples for this we can give you. Our major point is
 that the present Responsible initiative is not addressing fundamental
 issues. For eg: Kovalam they constituted a Destination Level Responsible
 Tourism committee (DLRTC) and some of its aims and objectives are to
 lead the participatory planning process at the destination for the
 decisions and actions for the implementation that ensure the
 transparency and accountability of the programme.

 At the same time Department of Tourism is constructing an artificial
 reef in Kovalam.Please ask Responsible Kerala Tourism that whether they
 consulted this project with the "participatory "committee or not? So
 this is what happening all over the state. One side they pretend that
 they are responsible and the other hand they are developing tourism
 which is completely irresponsible. Fishermen in the area say that from
 their previous experience the artificial reef is harmful to their
 livelihood option and they fear the loss of 500 people's livelihood (Of
 course they are not academics to sit in an Ac room and discuss this)
 they are using their way of protest.


> 1. calling it incredible india conference on...
 >
 > i dont think thats the name.. its the second edition of international
 >  conf on responsible tourism..
 > http://www.responsibletourism2008.org/


Secondly, please go through the website
 http://www.responsibletourism2008.org/event.php where you can see the
 name "Incredible India Second International Conference on Responsible
 Tourism in Destinations".


 > 2. holding it in a luxury hotel
 >
 > where else can u hold conferences with such a lot of international
 > particiaption




Please go through the Responsible Tourism concept carefully (Cape Town
 declaration and other documents) they all talking about economic
 leakage." Maximise local economic benefits by increasing linkages and
 reducing leakages, by ensuring that communities are involved in, and
 benefit from, tourism. Wherever possible use tourism to assist in
 poverty reduction by adopting pro-poor strategies".

 Learn carefully who is Le Meridian and where this money goes? What is
 the role of local communities in such hotel like Le – Meridian?




> 3. registration fee is 5000..
 >
 > this is a scholarly conference man.. and the conference holders are
 > no charity workers.. u have to invite international standard
 > speakers, get the arrangements done etc.. u need money.. i havent
 > seen a scholarly conference of good stature that can afford to charge
 > less than some 150 USD or so.. this is no charity function.. luk up
 > what scholarly conferences are and understand that.. even conferences
 > held in CUSAT have regn fees of 2k at least..
 >
 >

> if u dont understand what scholarly or academic conferences are..
 > check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_conference



Of course the conference organizers are not charity workers. But please
 go through the web site you mentioned and check who the organizers are.
 You can see that "Incredible India "and Kerala Tourism both are
 govermenment departments and they have the 'constitutional obligation'
 to listen the concern of all the stakeholders not just "scholars ". And
 most importantly this conference is discussing serious issues which have
 impact on thousand's of people's livelihood. So it is their right to
 participate. For that they do not need to search wikipedia and all
 (Wikipedia is not a solution for all the problems!!!).



 You can also see that Rs. 5,000 is not for academician's fee. That's the
 fee for NGOs and other "Poor" categories.



 "The Conference will be a key global initiative to help the tourism

industry and all its stakeholders to discuss and debate important

developments in the field ". This statement is from the organiser's
 website and which clearly said that all the stakeholder. So scholars are
 just one stakeholder and they do not have right to represent other
 stakeholders and affected communities.



 It is also important to know that the responsible tourism concept always
 support pro poor tourism, participation etc. This registration fee
  is denying certain communities access and they are the most important
 stakeholders



> 4. kerala is not very responsible in its tourism initiatives..
 >
 > okay, thats one probable reason as to why we have this conference at
 > all, rite?


No you are totally wrong. Please go thorough the invitation letter
 posted on the list. One of our main concerns is that the present


conference and Responsible Tourism initiative is not addressing the
 fundamental issues such as unsustainable growth of tourism, pollution
 etc .At the same time they are discussing the production of vegetables
 and milk for tourism industry( If the local communities are producing
 these they don't need a tourism market to sell).




On Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 11:41 AM, Gitika Talwar <gitika.talwar at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Deepak,
>
>  The problem with a lot of academic conferences is the fact that they
>  are disconnected from a lot of local non-academic stakeholders who
>  have some extremely real 'non-academic' concerns that require
>  representation but are not provided representation for a number of
>  reasons. Language, niche (but highly valid concerns), inability to pay
>  registration amounts, simply not being made informed about the
>  conference. the list is just beginning.
>
>  I agree with your point about the importance of money etc in
>  organizing a conference but what I need to know from anybody who knows
>  - "what arrangements are made for people who cannot pay that
>  registration amount - can there be scholarships provided?" It is a
>  very very very real concern that representation at conferences or
>  movements can eventually boil down to questions of who can really
>  afford to be present. Academic conferences anywhere - including the
>  kind of places that Wikipedia may talk about, all of them suffer from
>  the same concern - that academic conferences rarely provide a platform
>  for non-academic people to be present, even if the conference is more
>  about them than the academicians.
>
>  Hoping to hear more about BOTH the 'responsible Kerala tourism' conferences.
>
>  ~ Gitika
>
>
>
>  On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 4:49 AM, deepak p <deepakp7 at gmail.com> wrote:
>  > i can hardly resist from replying to this email.. why do u guys luk upon
>  >  evrything in a negative way.. i am in no way related to the icrt
>  >  conference.. but believe that its a good initiative.. lets see what ur major
>  >  complaints are:
>  >
>  >  1. calling it incredible india conference on...
>  >
>  >  i dont think thats the name.. its the second edition of international conf
>  >  on responsible tourism.. http://www.responsibletourism2008.org/
>  >
>  >  2. holding it in a luxury hotel
>  >
>  >  where else can u hold conferences with such a lot of international
>  >  particiaption
>  >
>  >  3. registration fee is 5000..
>  >
>  >  this is a scholarly conference man.. and the conference holders are no
>  >  charity workers.. u have to invite international standard speakers, get the
>  >  arrangements done etc.. u need money.. i havent seen a scholarly conference
>  >  of good stature that can afford to charge less than some 150 USD or so..
>  >  this is no charity function.. luk up what scholarly conferences are and
>  >  understand that.. even conferences held in CUSAT have regn fees of 2k at
>  >  least..
>  >
>  >  4. kerala is not very responsible in its tourism initiatives..
>  >
>  >  okay, thats one probable reason as to why we have this conference at all,
>  >  rite?
>  >
>  >
>  >  if u dont understand what scholarly or academic conferences are.. check this
>  >  out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_conference
>  >
>  >  thanks
>  >  deepak
>  >
>  >  On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 8:39 AM, Anivar Aravind <anivar.aravind at gmail.com>
>  >  wrote:
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >  >
>  >  > *Convention on Irresponsible Tourism in Kerala*
>  >  > ==============================================
>  >  > *Date: 22nd March 2008, 9.30 am*
>  >  > */Venue:/** Achuthamenon Hall, Near Public Library, Near Shenoy's Theatre*
>  >  > *Eranakulam.*
>  >  > -----------------------------------------------
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > Dear Friends,
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > For the past two decades, Department of Tourism and tourism industry in
>  >  > Kerala have been promoting Kerala tourism with various jargons such as
>  >  > "Eco-Tourism", "Sustainable Tourism", etc. There is no exception for
>  >  > "Responsible Tourism". The present 'mantra' of Kerala Tourism is being
>  >  > introduced in the state as a solution for 'everything'.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > But a closer look at the recent developments will give an insight into
>  >  > the present realities of Kerala Tourism. The "Responsible Tourism"
>  >  > initiative of Kerala Tourism is not participatory as they claim and
>  >  > keeping away local communities from the discussion. The current
>  >  > discussions are not addressing the concerns of affected population which
>  >  > needs urgent and immediate actions to stop the damages of tourism. At
>  >  > the same time, the present discussions initiated by Kerala Tourism are
>  >  > misleading the discussions and debates. They are aimed at marketing
>  >  > Kerala Tourism abroad without changing or addressing the fundamental
>  >  > issues here.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > Kerala Tourism and International Centre for Responsible Tourism – India
>  >  > (ICRT) in cooperation with 'Incredible India' are organizing "Incredible
>  >  > India Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism in
>  >  > Destinations". It is* *to be held from 21st – 24th* *March 2007 in
>  >  > Kochi, Kerala. This conference is advertised and propagated in a big
>  >  > manner both nationally and internationally.* *
>  >  >
>  >  > According to the organizers, the Conference will be a key global
>  >  > initiative to help the tourism industry and all its stakeholders to
>  >  > discuss and debate important developments in the field. The "efforts" of
>  >  > Kerala Tourism in this direction will also be explored at the
>  >  > conference. The conference will also "reflect on Kerala's experience of
>  >  > working towards being a Responsible Tourism destination and to share it
>  >  > internationally".
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > But there is a very evident contradiction in the way they are organizing
>  >  > the conference and its promises. The conference excludes very important
>  >  > stakeholders from the discussions. It is an event for elites held at a
>  >  > luxury hotel. The registration fee for the conference is a testimony for
>  >  > this. Even the reduced fee is equivalent to Indian Rupees 5,000, which
>  >  > is still beyond the reach of majority of local 'stakeholders'.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > The programme schedule of the conference advertised "Mararikulam as an
>  >  > emerging beach destination". But the present reality in this area shows
>  >  > that the conference organizers underestimate the socio-cultural and
>  >  > economic impact of tourism on local communities. While they say
>  >  > "Mararikulam is about one local entrepreneur kick starting a
>  >  > destination. It is also about the emerging opportunities for the local
>  >  > community", the experience of the local community is quite different.
>  >  > Tourism in this area has caused a real estate boom and the local
>  >  > entrepreneur mentioned has set a trend which resulted in market induced
>  >  > displacement of fisher folk from the area.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > There is no paradigm shift in the way Kerala is developing its tourism
>  >  > sector. The current discussions are just a hype to change the fading
>  >  > images of Kerala tourism and portray it as a responsible destination in
>  >  > the international market.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > Neither the conference nor the "Responsible Tourism" initiative in the
>  >  > state addresses any of the serious problems of the so called "Kerala
>  >  > Model Tourism Development" in its agenda. At the same time, this ill
>  >  > affected model demonstrates how unregulated and weak policies have
>  >  > facilitated unsustainable tourism development in the state which
>  >  > alienated the local population especially the marginalized from their
>  >  > peaceful life and livelihood. Kerala Tourism is pretending that the
>  >  > initiative is partipatory but at the same time they are strategically
>  >  > excluding local communities from the conference and discussions to hide
>  >  > the fundamental issues raised by them from the international community.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > This state of affairs convinced *Kerala Tourism Watch *to facilitate a
>  >  > convention against the malpractices of Kerala tourism and against
>  >  > proclaiming it as "Responsible Tourism. The Convention will take place
>  >  > on 22^nd March 2008 at Achuthamenon Hall (Near Public Library),
>  >  > Eranakulam where we will get to raise our voice and bring more attention
>  >  > to the issues raised by the civil society of Kerala.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > The convention will be a broad platform of civil society organizations
>  >  > and people's movements to discuss and critically analyze the present
>  >  > tourism trends, tourism practices in the state. Participation is free,
>  >  > of course. No participation fee!
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > We request you to be part of the convention and our efforts to unveil
>  >  > Kerala tourism's ill affected tourism practices and hidden agendas.
>  >  >
>  >  >  Please send your suggestions, comments and feed back to:
>  >  > tourismwatch.kerala at gmail.com <mailto:tourismwatch.kerala at gmail.com>
>  >  >
>  >  >  In Solidarity
>  >  >
>  >  > Kerala Tourism Watch
>  >  >
>  >  >  Robin, Keralaeeyam, Thrissur - Ph: + 91 9446576943
>  >  >
>  >  > Geo Jose, Ph: + 91 9446000701
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > * *About Kerala Tourism Watch**
>  >  >
>  >  > Kerala Tourism Watch is an informal coalition of civil society activists
>  >  > and local communities to respond to the threats and challenges posed by
>  >  > exploitative and undemocratic tourism practices in Kerala that upset
>  >  > people's livelihood and cause cultural, environmental, economic and
>  >  > social maladies that the Government is unable to control.
>  >  >
>  >  >  Kerala is a state in Indian Union known for its remarkable
>  >  > achievements in social sectors such as health and education based on
>  >  > decades of social mobilization and political articulation of oppressed
>  >  > castes and communities in the 19th and 20th centuries. A vibrant and
>  >  > vigilant civil society has been the hall mark of the state which has
>  >  > forced successive governments belonging to the centrist and left
>  >  > persuasions to make progressive legislations, implement social security
>  >  > programmes and democratize institutional structures and procedures
>  >  > within the confines of the dependency relations of the productive
>  >  > sectors to national and international labour and commodities markets.
>  >  >
>  >  >  Right from the 1980s when Hotel Industry in the state, supported by
>  >  > the government policies and bureaucratic intermediation, began an
>  >  > aggressive campaign to market Kerala as a tourism destination, civil
>  >  > society groups and social movements have raised concerns about its
>  >  > harmful impacts on the social, economic, cultural and environmental
>  >  > fronts. The history of civil society activism in Kerala in the last few
>  >  > decades is marked also by the strong presence of oppositional voices
>  >  > against the unjust and undemocratic nature of tourism practices in the
>  >  > state.
>  >  >
>  >  >  Local communities in Kerala who are seriously affected by the
>  >  > exploitative tourism development in the state are now on the brink of a
>  >  > social, environmental and cultural breakdown as their rights to
>  >  > livelihood is threatened in an unprecedented manner by state policies
>  >  > mandating reactionary legislations, forced and market mediated evictions
>  >  > and  increasing economic and cultural marginalization.  Local
>  >  > communities are loosing their land, jobs and indigenous cultures as a
>  >  > result of the assaults of commercial tourism.
>  >  >
>  >  >  As a collective, Kerala Tourism Watch believes that Kerala
>  >  > Government's Tourism Department has been long ignoring the demands
>  >  > raised by local communities and civil society organizations for a
>  >  > democratized and equitable tourism development in the state. The
>  >  > Department has been ridiculously vocal in its rhetorical assertions
>  >  > about practicing ecotourism, responsible tourism, participatory tourism
>  >  > etc., -the buzzwords of the day. The reality is however, is that the
>  >  > fundamental practices of mass commercial tourism remains the same
>  >  > irrespective of the catchy names appropriated by the department for
>  >  > marketing Kerala as a global destination. Even the pathetic pastiche
>  >  > 'God's Own Country' is nothing more than a public relations stunt.
>  >  > Kerala tourism, obviously, has a long way to go in achieving basic goals
>  >  > of transparency, accountability and responsiveness.
>  >  >
>  >  >  At a time when Indigenous people, fishing communities, local
>  >  > populations and civil society groups are engaged in relentless struggles
>  >  > against irresponsible tourism development and policies of the
>  >  > Governments and the tourism Department in the state, we understand that
>  >  > documentation and campaign support are crucially important for the
>  >  > success of the movements. Kerala Tourism Watch will hence, attempt to
>  >  > update information on the campaigns, movements, policies, networks and
>  >  > every possible aspect of societal impacts of tourism in the state.
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  >
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>  >  >
>  >
>  >
>  >  --
>  >  Deepak P
>  >  http://deepakp7.googlepages.com/
>  >
>  >
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