Overview

SAPARYA (Synergizing Actions through Participatory Approach); a novel initiative of Kerala Tourism
SAPARYA is a pioneering effort of Kerala Tourism for mapping and developing tourism resources of an identified project area (destination), for comprehensive development, through participatory approach. The project is being implemented through Tourist Resorts Kerala Ltd. (TRKL), a Government of Kerala Undertaking, under Department of Tourism.
SAPARYA envisages for a planned and regulated development of tourism industry involving local communities.

Kerala has emerged as one of the prime tourism destinations on the national and international map and is considered as the tourism trend-setter. In the year 2009, Kerala received approximately 11% of the total foreign tourist arrivals to India. A look into the district wise tourism arrival statistics shows that more than 70% of foreign tourist arrivals are currently limited to two districts. Thus, unexplored, unidentified and underdeveloped micro spots and destinations with abundance of tourism related resources across the state opens up tremendous growth opportunity for each and every town and village in Kerala.

The vivid and unique features at grass roots, infrastructure and connectivity, availability of plenty of natural resources, skilled manpower, supportive and entrepreneurial community, Panchayathi Raj System and strong local self governments, civil society organisations, enterprises, etc. along with the responsive tourism industry position the state unparallel to other tourist destinations in the world creates strong base for the project.

The Proposition
The project put forwards a bottom up approach in participatory planning and development involving inclusive community sensitization and consultation at the LSGI level and also with NGOs, Institutions, Travel - Trade & Hospitality Industries, Experts, Local People etc. This approach will help in creating and developing new tourism projects and untapped destinations within Kerala thereby opening new revenue and growth opportunities for the state. Moreover the project addresses several key issues raised in the tourism sector elsewhere like unregulated development, inadequate local benefits to common people, lack of involvement of local community, degeneration of cultural heritage, increasing environmental impact etc. The unique proposition of overall development of the destination through tourism by integrating other sectors like Agriculture, Fisheries, Traditional industries etc. by linking them to tourism through products like village life experiences etc. and optimum utilization of Government Resources through integrated development planning can bring in rewards to the state.

Modus Operandi
The programme involves a series of actions like, Sensitization, Capacity Building, Surveys, Resource Mapping, Gap Analysis, identification of potential projects / products / services / packages, identification of funding sources, Plan Preparation, prioritization for implementation etc.
The pilot phase of the project is being implemented in selected regions/stretches in four districts. The stretch between Meenkunnu beach and Thalassery (7 LSGIs) in Kannur district, and the stretch covering Konni, Aranmula and Kadammanitta (11 LSGIs) in Pathanamthitta district, the stretch covering Kasaragod Municipality, Bekal and Valiyaparamba (11 LSGIs) in Kasaragod district and stretch covering Kumarakom and its surroundings (6 LSGIs) in Kottayam district are selected for the pilot phase.

Scope of Work

• Situation analysis of the study area/region, especially the tourism growth potential, key issues and constraints, general tourism scenario etc. with respect to its tourism competitiveness potential.
• Full fledged and in-depth existing and potential Tourism Resource Mapping in the study area in a participatory process, through sensitization and building capacities of the local community including its representatives and stake holders, to identify and record resources under the categories of natural, cultural, religious, ethnic lifestyle, traditional arts and crafts, historical incidents & sites, community activities, health & wellness services, sports & adventure activities, human resources and infrastructure.
• Study and analyze all the existing and ongoing tourism development initiatives and assets in the region, with respect to the possibility of integration with the identified potential resources and attractions of the region.
• Identify key tourism infrastructure requirements of the study area based on an infrastructure gap assessment study, with respect to the enhancement and strengthening of the existing and potential tourism products and packages, including the assets already created by the Department of Tourism.
• Suggest basic infrastructure requirements in developing and operationalizing the proposed tourism packages, circuits and products including connectivity, power, drinking water, basic amenities like toilets, signages and information centers, sanitation and waste management, communication facilities, energy conservation measures, etc.
• Preparation of a prioritized list of project profiles to explore opportunities for utilization of various funding resources available, viz. LSGIs, department of tourism; state and central schemes, public-private investment partnerships, international funding agencies etc.
• Preparation of comprehensive Plan based on the above process.
• Prioritization and initiation of identified projects, products, services and packages

LSGI wise list of proposed Regions/ Stretches