In a globalised world, tourism undoubtedly has emerged one of the highest revenue-generating sectors and almost all the countries have started to tap their tourism potential as far as possible. With the rising competition to lure potential tourists, the tourism authorities and tour operators of various countries came up with distinct packages and experiments. Niche tourism was one such successful move in drawing tourists and it represents ways of making the tourism experience different.
Niche tourism emerged in contrast to the traditional mass tourism and it caters more to the interests of the tourists. It focuses on the culture of the tourist country and is mostly activity-based. Niche tourism can be classified into rural, urban, cultural, heritage, environment etc.
``This alternative tourism development help bring in more tourists here,’’ says a tour operator from Kerala. ``I think Kerala is one of the States which successfully experimented with niche tourism, like environmental tourism, Ayurveda tourism, wild-life tourism etc. While the eco-tourist villages and eco tourism projects here aimed at bringing many environmental tourists, the tailored packages provided by various resorts has lured many health-conscious tourists,’’ he observes.There are yet many areas to be explored in the tourism sector and each place can come up with its own highlights and packages ; these sophisticated practices and alternative approach will help make tourism a more sustainable economic activity.
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Successful move to lure tourists to Kerala, India
Message Submitted by Lindahl on Wed, 11/16/2011 - 07:28
Water hyacinths have choked
Water hyacinths have choked most of the Kerala backwaters so they can no longer be accessed or if you do attempt to penetrate them, it is a very slow, tiresome process as the boat propellers have to stop constantly and get unclogged from all the roots and vines. Make sure you know this before you look at their enticing photos of lush backwater canals. The major lake in this area is also getting clogged with water hyacinths. This is a major problem with no known solution at this time. Not sure where Kerela is heading on this matter.
Water Hyacinths?
I always appreciate and benefit from TravelCenturian's posts. In this case, though, I need to offer a contrary view. I spent two days and three nights on the Kerala canals early last year, and water hyacinths posed no problem at all. In fact, I don't even recall noticing them on the canals; just some in the lake. Maybe it's seasonal. Maybe it depends on the routes taken. I found it to be a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Where are the water-hyacinth free backwaters?
I was staying at the Coconut Palms resort and took backwater trips from there and it was almost totally choked with water hyacinths. As well as the large lake we were traversing to make my onward connection to Fort Cochin - the lake was getting riddled with large clumps there as well.
Good to check this out ahead of time to see what areas are now inaccessible and we need then to be more specific about those that are still open -- which I would love to know about Stan since we are heading back to this area and if there are open waters ways this is something I still want to explore after my first Kerela back-water trip disappointments.
For more info on this topic: http://www.keralaindustry.org/Water_Hyacinth.html Here are some happier pictures showing both water-hyacinth free waters as well as the more heavily choked areas like I encountered: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/photos/india/image009.html