Regional Development through Tourism

Case study of Backwaters of Allapuza District

Tourism is an important factor in the growth of national income. Tourism now being an industry
is a multi billion, multi-sector and multi dimensional activity in the world. Tourism is considered
as an agent of social change bridging gaps along nations, regions and people and helping them to
open up. Tourism is a promoter of development. Modern transportation has removed the
obstacles of distance enabling people to appreciate each engage in the exchange of ideas and
commerce. Tourism industry has a unique advantage of generating employment for skilled, semi
skilled and un-skilled persons. It provides inclusive development of locals. In this regard India
has got enormous potential to be tapped for development.
The development of any region will have restriction on the land utilization pattern.
Higher fuel cost, rail and road network congestion will hamper the connectivity through the land.
Land acquisition process is hampering development of land based connectivity. In this case
Inland waterways can supplement as an alternative mode of transportation. The existence of
waterways has been an important factor in the development of region as it has first served as
paths exploration of new settlement and later as avenues of commerce and trade.
Tourism sector has an important role in the development of coastal areas. Inland
waterways have played an important role in the Indian transport system since ancient times.
However, in the decades after independence, the importance of this mode of transport has
declined considerably with the expansion of road and rail transport.( IWAI, 2004) Nevertheless,
there is a growing realization that inland water transport has to be an integral component of the
overall transport system of any region/country since it is one of the most advantageous transport
modes, having the least impact on environment, the lowest cost for domestic and international
transport, enormous capacity reserves and the least energy consumption. Interlinking waterways
and ports with coastal shipping holds good prospects in respect of several river systems in India.
(Biswas, 2007) The development and connectivity of these waterways with the ports will not
only ensure development of the entire hinterland but will also help in relieving the pressure on
the other already congested modes of transportation. The potential of inland water transport to
encourage and support increased economic and social development is enormous, especially in a
developing country where resources are scarce (Sriraman, 2002).
 According to World Tourism Organisation “Tourism encompasses the activities of a
person traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purpose” (WTO, 1993). Tourism is about the
transitory movement of people across the varied range of geographical and cultural products for
the direct experience of these products, and the mental transformation in those who travel in that
process (Alder, 1989).
Need for study
The immense potential of the tourism sector to act as a catalytic of economic and social
development has been acknowledged in national and international forums. Almost all the states
in India have placed tourism on a priority platform, making efforts to exploit the tourism
resources and potential offered by the state.
There is a scope for development of National Waterway stretching from north of Kerala
to the south, since there are number of canals connecting up riverine and estuarine systems
traditionally used for Inland navigation. This natural gift has been utilized in Kerala from time
immemorial. These waterways have been serving the transport need of the state to some degree
(Natpac). Being labour-intensive in nature, the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector has the
potential for creating employment generation too many categories of personnel for river
conservancy and river-development activities, operation and maintenance of terminals and in
particular, for manning the inland vessels. The studies on inland waterways in India are just
evolving. (Biswas, 2007) has focused on the importance of inland water ways in India and a
comparative analysis is made with some Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Bangladesh etc.
He has mentioned about the problem faced by inland water ways in India and has given some
valuable inputs in improving the transport sector in India.

The National Tourism Policy of India, 2002, has highlighted ‘6 S’ for the tourism
development. The six key areas are Swagat (Hospitality), Soochana (Information), Suvidha
(Facilitation), Suraksha (Security/ Protection), Sahyog (Cooperation) and Sanrachna
(Infrastructure development). The National tourism policy states that tourism will help as a
catalyst in the environment prevention and social integration.
The 1995 Tourism Policy of Kerala stated as its main aim “to serve as a guiding force to
make maximum use of Kerala’s tourism potential and also to make it an ideal instrument of
social and economic growth”. The policy aimed at fulfilling the state’s tourism potential through
the four-fold approach of enhancing investment into the sector, developing the tourism products,
deploying human resources more efficiently and emphasizing effective marketing of the state. As
underlined by WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Counsil) in its Kerala report, “The 1995
tourism policy remains the basis for much of the state’s progress over the last eight years,
whether in terms of infrastructure and product development or tourism performance.”
Kerala has a significant potential in becoming a major global tourist destination. The
inflow of tourist is increasing by 20% every year. After drafting tourism as an industry it is the
fastest growing industry today due to technological advancement and improved communication.
Sustainable tourism development in Kerala not only improves states income, brings in valuable
foreign exchange and increases employment but also results in the distribution of benefits across
the state.
The unemployment in Kerala is around 4 million. The manufacturing sector has very
poor prospects and there are threats for the development of agriculture and traditional sector. So
here tourism is considered as a best alternative for the priority in the state development.

Objectives
1. To study the existing status of tourism in the region.
2. To analyze the role of backwaters and West coast canal system.
3. To identify future tourism spots\ zones in the rural areas with focus on environment
vulnerability and coastal sea zone regulation.
4. To suggest an institutional mechanism for the development of tourism sector in public
private partnership.
5. Structure for tourism development.

Study outcome
The overall study was conducted for a comprehensive development plan for tourism sector I
rural areas.
Frame work for the study

Data Required
Objective Study Questions Data Required Data Sources
Primary Secondary

Reports to  WTTC, KTDC, MoT

To study the Tourism policies study India, MotK
existing status of Map of Kerala  CESS, DTPC, ATTC
tourism in Important tourist Tourist map  DTPC, KTDC
Alleppey district centeres in of Alleppey
district
To analyse the Back water Potential  KTDC, DTPC,
role of Tourism tourist spots
backwaters and District map  TCPO
west coast canal
system. Role of West Reports on  NATPAC, IWAI,
coast canal WC Canal KSINC, KPT
Maps of  IWAI, NATPAC
Navigable
stretch
Service  IWAI, NATPAC,
provided DTPC, ATTPC
through the
stretch
To identify future Identification for Census Data  Census Department.
spots/ zones in future tourist 2001
Rural areas with spots /zones Identification  Primary Survey
focus on of Tourist
environmental spots
vulnerability and Environment Encroachmen   Primary survey,
coastal zone Vulnerability and t of land by District Disaster
regulation. Coastal zone natural and management cell
regulation man made
activity
To suggest an Institutional Institutional  MoTI, MotK, DTPC
institutional mechanism for setup in
machenasim for tourism Government
the development development sector
of tourism sector How to involve Policy frame  MoTK,
in public private public private work for
partrnership. partnership public private
partnership

Structure for how to involve all Sector wise  Lead bank report,
tourism sectors? details of Stastical handbook
development development

REFERENCES

1) Biswas, P. K.: ‘Inland Water Transport — an ‘Overview and Prospective Plan’, paper
presented and discussed at the Twentieth National Convention of Marine Engineers held
at Visakhapatnam during February 24-25, 2007.

2) David, L. and Baros, Z.: A possible use of Indicators for Sustainable Development in
tourism, Anatolia : An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol.18,
No.2, Yenisehir – Ankaral Turkey, p.p. 349 – 355, ISSN 1303 – 2917, 2007.

3) Horvat, U.: Influence of tourism on the development on the examples of resort places in
Slovenia. Paper presented at the International seminar on Tourism as a factor o Regional
Development, Tuzula, 2005.

4) IWAI : ‘Inland Water Transport Sector’, Powerpoint Presentation, Inland Waterways

Authority of India, NOIDA, 2004.

5) Miniciu, Rodica : Economia a Turismului, Editus Uranus, Bucarusti, p.303, 2001.

6) Neacsu N., Baron P., Snak O. : Economia turismului, Editura Pro Universitaria,
Bucaresti, 2006.

7) Pak, M. : Goografski elementi Regionalnega Razvuja Spondnejega Podeavia S Prekijo,

Geogrfskivestnik, 68:161 – 174, 1996.

8) Sriraman, S.: ‘Perspective on Inland Water Transport in India’, RITES Journal, April
2002 .