Kochi (lamba safa): Starfish and mussel shells from the Beypore shore, embedded in the scented translucent wax-gel decorative candles; wonders of clay craft, and handicrafts made of different types of yarns and fibres that showcase the unique rural artisanship of the local community are a few of the star attractions at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), India’s largest travel mart, which opened here on Friday.
The products of community units registered with the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Society, which engage the local populace in tourism activities, providing livelihood and thus empowering them, was much appreciated by both international and domestic buyers at the 4-day 12th edition of KTM being held at the Sagara Samudrika Convention Center on Willingdon Island, Kochi.
The ‘Candle Queen’ group, registered under the Beypore Responsible Tourism Mission in 2022, was formed at the initiative of four women. Starfish, mussels, clams, dried flower petals, and grains of sand collected from Beypore make their candle products enchanting. Varying in shape and colour, these candle lamps are in high demand in Kerala and beyond with the group receiving around 200 business orders last year from overseas itself. Recently, they received 75 orders from Europe.
“Starting such an initiative and working as part of the RT Mission has made a lot of difference in our lives and livelihoods,” Candle Queen member Mini said. Their collection also includes lamps with spices and flowers, prepared in various colours for Diwali. Other members of the group are Sheeja, Aishwarya and Anju.
Vijuna, a native of Balussery, Kozhikode, is a new entrepreneur registered with the RT Mission and makes “handicrafts full of Keralaness.” Fashion designer Vijuna’s products are made with yarns and dyes, generating great interest among visitors. Her RT unit, Craft Academy, is an excellent example of women’s empowerment through small-scale enterprises. It also helps foreign delegates to get acquainted with Kerala’s unique weaving techniques.
PB Bidula, a native of Elathur, Kozhikode, is gaining attention through her various clay products. Bidula has been making crafts and sculptures out of clay for the past 24 years now and has been part of the RT Mission since its inception.
“This is a small business with a lot of demand for such ethnic products, and generates enough income,” Bidula says. “Many orders come from architects, interior designer firms and resorts. Our products are also sold through exhibitions.”
Bidula noted that the responsible tourism projects open up an excellent opportunity for the local populace, including women, to take advantage of the potential of such small enterprises.
Kadalundi and Kumarakom panchayats, which implemented RT Mission programmes excellently, bagged the National Tourism Awards for the Best Rural Tourism Villages on World Tourism Day, yesterday. While Kadalundi bagged the Best Responsible Tourism Village Award, Kumarakom received the Best Agri Tourism Village Award.
Entry to KTM 2024 is free for the public from 1 pm onwards today (Sunday).
