Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 http://research-chronicler.com/resinv/index.asp ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 A Study on “Role of BRDC in Developing Kasargod as a Tourism Destination” Mousime Xalxo Asst. Professor, Department of Travel and Tourism, St. Claret College, Bangalore, (Karnataka) India 1.1 Introduction Tourism is an important contributor and Tourism has shown that the potential for player for the growth of India. Tourism the creation of jobs and the promotion of also acts as a catalyst for peace and income-generating activities in favour of development. Tourism is defined as the the local and regional authorities. Certainly temporary short term movement of people tourism offers many gateways for the to destination outside the places where employment of men and women and the they normally live and work and their possibilities of job creation independent of activities during the stay at each the small and medium sized income destination, it includes movements for all generating activities, the creation of purposes. Tourism encompasses economic, railway undertakings after the removal of culture, social, environment. In the year the poverty of the women and of the 2016 started on a strong note for municipalities in the developing countries. international tourists arrival that grew by Tourism provides employment 5% between January and April 2016 opportunities in a large number. Today, according to the latest UNWTO statistics. millions of women are a part of the Prospects for the May-August remains tourism industry, both directly and positive with around 500 million tourists indirectly. The tourism industry has expected to travel abroad in the northern contributed positively to the empowerment hemisphere during summer holiday which of women in India and throughout the is the peak season. Destinations keep world. Tourism development aims at benefiting from solid demand across all improving the lives of people living in the world regions despite on-going challenges, local surroundings through responsible showing that tourism is dynamic and tourism. Studies show that in Kerala, the resilient economic sector. Tourism can participation of local community in play a key role in building peace and tourism development activities is supporting reconciliation processes in increasing and this has resulted in the community engagement and overall development of the destination. empowerment, as well as in capacity Bekal the village in Kasaragod district in building and training, public and private the northern most part of Kerala as sector partnership which are key factors in potential locale for the development of advancing a culture of peace through beach resort destination. The Bekal coastal tourism in post-conflict societies. Tourism area has been declared as the India’s first is a vehicle for trust and goodwill. Cultural planned beach destination. In 1992 the understanding can change attitudes and Government of India declared, Bekal as build peace. Tourism role in peace ‘Special Tourism Area’ for integrated building is also enacted through its resort development. contribution to poverty alleviation. Volume V Issue II: April 2018 (53) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 http://research-chronicler.com/resinv/index.asp ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 Kerala Tourism shines again at PATA the contribution of local community. This Gold awards 2016 in Marketing Media study will be beneficial to the stakeholders categories for its Kerala tourism E- of the tourism industry, including the Newsletter and Visit Kerala Broad cast investors, employees, government, etc. campaigns which was announced at This study will bring out the changes that Bangkok by Pacific Asia travel have brought into the lives of people in Association (PATA).The campaign built Kasaragod district through the various an awareness of the uniqueness of Gods tourism projects both economic as Own country which will create a positive well as social. The Department of Tourism impact. Starring real people and site functions as a catalyst, co-coordinator and authentic stories of tourist of tourists facilitator and plays a regulatory role in visiting local communities, Sharing home tourism development in the State. The –made meals and watching and engaging other agencies include Kerala Tourism in cultural performance the “New Worlds Development Corporation (KTDC), films reflects the idea that when the world Tourists Resorts (Kerala) Ltd. (TRKL), comes to Kerala new horizon open up. It Bekal Resorts Development Corporation also demonstrates the benefits of (BRDC), The District Tourism Promotion implementing responsible tourism Councils (DTPCs), Thenmala Ecotourism initiatives which have brought about a Promotion Society (TEPS), Kerala number of life-altering narratives that have Institute of Travel and Tourism Studies now become the soul of the campaign. (KITTS) and the private sector. Until the early 1980s, Kerala was a 1.2 History on Kasaragod relatively unknown destination, with most tourism circuits concentrated around the The Kasaragod District came into north of the country. Aggressive marketing existence on the 24th of May 1984. The campaigns launched by the Kerala District consists of two taluks viz. Tourism Development Corporation the Hosdurg, Kasaragod which includes 75 government agency that oversees tourism Revenue villages, 4 Block Panchayaths prospects of the state laid the foundation and 2 Municipalities. for the growth of the tourism industry. It lies on the northwest boundary of Kerala Tourism was able to transform Kerala. The District has its boundaries itself into one of the niche holiday South Canara district in the north, Coorg destinations in India. The tag line Kerala- district in the east, Kannur district in the God’s Own Country was adopted in its south and the Lakshadweep sea in the tourism promotions and became a global west. Naturally the land is divided as low super brand. Government of Kerala (2006) land and mid land. Sandy alluvial and among the fourteen districts of Kerala, laterite are the type of soil. Hilly Villages Kasargod is the northern most districts are on the eastern side of this district bordering the neighbouring state of luxuriant with green vegetation and Karnataka. The district of Kasaragod, plantation crops. The Kasaragod is blessed with high tourism resources, is experienced with an average climate. The trying its level best to develop its temperature in the plains rises to mean potentials in order to position itself in the maximum temperature during the South tourism market. The study is also based on West monsoon. The average annual Volume V Issue II: April 2018 (54) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 http://research-chronicler.com/resinv/index.asp ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 rainfall is about 3500 m.m. Paddy, 1. What is the total financial outlay for Coconut, Arecanut, Cashew, and Pepper. this project? Rubber and Tapioca are the main crops 2. Infrastructure investment contribution grown here. Tobacco is also cultivated in by state or central government. Ajanoor and Pallikara Panchayaths of 3. What is the contribution of Kerala Hosdurg Taluk and in Chengala Panchayat government? of Kasaragod Taluk. This District may 4. Who has already entered into any claim the monopoly of Arecanut contract or understanding with any cultivation. The District is blessed with private companies or and international beautiful backwaters. Kumbala, Kalanad, funding agency planning or executing Bekal, Chithari and Kavvai are the of the project? backwaters. The colourful and ritualistic 5. How are the basic infrastructure folk art like Theyyam is performed here. facilities (roads, railways, water, Yakshagana, a colourful dance drama of electricity and transport facilities etc.) Kannada in origin is also popularly Employment opportunities training and performed here and that too sometimes in skill development of the employees. Malayalam. Hence, the people are Marketing thrust of the project influence by a blend of Kannada and 1. Foreign advertising or public relation Malayalam culture. Purakkali is a folk agencies been hired to promote the dance of the District of its own. Bekal Fort project internationally? is a special tourist area of growing 2. What are the tourist’s facilities planned importance. Ranipuram and kottancherry what categories (Star-rating) of hotels hills are the places of striking natural are required? beauty. The Bekal Tourism Development 3. What are the proposed entertainment Corporation has been established to alternative for tourists? develop the tourist centres of the district, 4. What are the measures taken to protect under its programme Nithyananda Ashram basic ecological features like water, air & Anandashram at Kanhangad are the two and land? ashrams of international fame. Edneer 5. What are the steps taken to safeguard mutt, which is belonged to Sankaracharya the flora and fauna? tradition, is a seat of learning and 6. What is the estimated carrying capacity knowledge. of Bekal as a tourist attraction? A study done by equation which is a 7. What are the provisions made for the tourism based organisation which has been adequate water supply? How will be the conducting a study since last eight years waste water be managed. .This study also states about special 1.3 History of Bekal tourism