RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN KERALA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN VAIKOM

Kerala is one of India’s top tourist destinations, known as "God's Own Country." Kerala has emerged as one of the prime tourism destinations on the national and international tourism map. Tourism generates a good amount of revenue for Kerala state finance. There are several challenges also Kerala tourism industry faces like water and air pollution, environmental degradation, deterioration of cultural heritage and social problems. Recognizing these adverse impacts now Kerala Tourism department focusses on “to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit.” Kerala state tourism department takes forward the concept of responsibility in tourism into practice. For giving an ecofriendly face in the field of tourism the Kerala state tourism department implemented the concept of responsible tourism in the year 2007.Vaikom in Kottayam district is an important tourist place in Kerala. The Present study is an attempt analyze the various responsible tourism activities in Vaikom in Kottayam district. The main findings of this study are: Majority of local people believes that responsible tourism generates employment opportunities for local people. Many respondents believe that there are still some problems persisting in the tourism sector even after the implementation of responsible tourism. After the implementation of responsible tourism service providers incorporating local people in their work. Responsible tourism is helpful for women empowerment. Tourists are also believing that responsible tourism is good for sustainable development of tourism industry. About half of tourists are ready to pay more for responsible tourism. Responsible tourism in Vaikom serves as a model for those involving in tourism industry. Responsible Tourism has brought numerous benefits, there are still significant challenges to address.