Kozhikode tourism committees remain inactive, fail to propose development projects

Destination management committees formed to oversee beach and eco-tourism destinations in Kozhikode district have remained largely inactive, with few innovative tourism projects proposed and mandatory meetings not being held, according to local tourism stakeholders.

Suggestions from tourism department officials to create more employment opportunities for local entrepreneurs and promote local arts have also been ignored, they allege.

Tourism entrepreneurs and investors point out that several committees are yet to be reconstituted with active members who are genuinely interested in developing tourism infrastructure. They allege that only a few representatives are shouldering the responsibilities without adequate support.

According to officials who previously supervised the committees, one of their primary responsibilities is to identify tourism development opportunities and recommend projects to improve infrastructure and visitor amenities.

These include developing and maintaining access roads, pathways, parking facilities, public toilets, lighting, signboards and tourist information centres. The committees are also expected to coordinate with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), the Department of Tourism and local self-government institutions to implement approved projects, the officials said.

“The situation in various eco-tourism spots will have to be reviewed to assess the functioning of the committees. There should be prompt action to reconstitute it if the delegated responsibilities are not executed properly,” said an eco-tourism entrepreneur from Thiruvambadi.

The entrepreneur said elected representatives should take the initiative to reconstitute inactive committees and appoint committed members.

An official who was previously associated with the Kozhikode District Tourism Promotion Council said beach destinations within the city limits had considerable potential to attract more visitors and introduce modern tourism amenities.

For several years, the focus had been on maintaining basic infrastructure, which was insufficient to meet contemporary development needs, the official added.

A young tourism entrepreneur said destination promotion was another area that the committees had failed to address adequately. Publicity campaigns, digital platforms, tourism fairs, cultural programmes and festivals could help attract visitors, the entrepreneur said.

Developing tourism circuits connecting attractions within the district and strengthening coordination with tour operators, accommodation providers and other stakeholders were also pending tasks, the entrepreneur added.

A functionary of a city-based Tourism Promoters’ Association said the committees were expected to monitor approved projects, review visitor feedback, identify service deficiencies and submit recommendations to the authorities.

However, these activities were carried out only rarely, the functionary said, adding that poor coordination among government departments and other stakeholders had also affected the committees’ functioning.

Some committee members, meanwhile, said the lack of adequate funds remained a challenge in proposing and implementing new projects. They also maintained that several destinations continued to be in good condition because of the committee members’ sustained intervention.