In the normal course, one would have passed this news as yet another “opening ceremony” graced by the presence of a politician, bureaucrat or a self-styled leader. Fortunately that is not to be. COHERA’s proactive involvement with the District Administration to better manage the uncontrolled onslaught of unchecked tourism should be appreciated and all stakeholders should cooperate to manage the opportunity that tourism presents with effective checks and balances.
The recent success of Swacha Kodagu Sundara Kodagu Abhiyana organized by COHERA with the full involvement of all communities and stakeholders should be further taken to the next level to truly make Kodagu free of garbage. Segregation at Source will only work if garbage is collected systematically by the Municipality and Panchayat (for which money has reportedly been budgeted and spent) and much needed low-cost waste processing units are set up.
For starters, this is where large organizations who thrive from the opportunity that tourism in Kodagu offers should step up and support COHERA in managing waste in a proper manner. In fact, the District Administration should consider charging a “cess” from all resorts, hotels, restaurants and homestays and hand it over to COHERA to manage with proper protocols.
COHERA could take the lead for creating a blueprint on how RESPONSIBLE TOURISM could be enforced in Kodagu, which could become a model for all tourist locations within Karnataka. Proper Hospitality Skills Training needs to be imparted – especially for the youngsters, for whom good jobs in this sector will become available. Homestays and smaller Hotels need to improve their standards to be able to attract the right type of tourists and realize better rates.
The new leadership at COHERA has rekindled the legendary leadership qualities of inclusiveness, transparency and purposefulness. The District Administration’s support is to be applauded. – CLN Newsdesk.
“Immense opportunities await the younger generation in Kodagu’s tourism sector” – Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja
Tourism-related initiatives play a crucial role in encouraging the youth of Kodagu, who have migrated elsewhere in search of employment, to return to their home district, said Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja.
He spoke after inaugurating the new office of the Coorg Hotels and Resorts Association (COHERA) at the Kodagu Tourism Department premises in Madikeri, last Tuesday.
The Deputy Commissioner noted that local tourism activities should create avenues that inspire young men and women from Kodagu to build their careers within the district. He emphasized that rather than competing against one another, tourism entrepreneurs should work collectively to sustain and promote responsible and sustainable tourism in Kodagu.
Highlighting the importance of hospitality, DC Venkat Raja remarked that when Kodagu’s tourism operators are visitor-friendly, tourists who visit once are sure to return. He also lauded the Swachh Kodagu – Sundara Kodagu cleanliness campaign organized by the COHERA last month, which, he said – had attracted great attention and participation across the District. The voluntary participation of local residents in the drive reflected the growing public consciousness towards keeping Kodagu clean, he added.
The DC called upon the citizens of Kodagu to make Kodagu a plastic-free district. The Deputy Commissioner also expressed hope that the new office of the COHERA would also serve as a valuable resource in providing necessary information to tourists visiting Kodagu.
Association President Kundyolanda Dinesh Kariappa, speaking on the occasion, said that with the support of the Deputy Commissioner, COHERA has – for the first time, been allotted an independent office. He added that the association is formulating several initiatives aimed at promoting tourism development in Kodagu and is also exploring the concept of a Kodagu Utsava (Kodagu Festival).
General Secretary of the Coorg Hotel and Resort Association Nasir Ahmed, Vice Presidents Ahmed and B.S. Sundar, Treasurer Sagar, former President B.R. Nagendra Prasad, Honorary Advisor G. Chidvilas, along with other office-bearers and members of the association, were present during the occasion.
Very good initiative. Hope it does well and politics doesn’t come into the organisation. COHERA can set an example on how such Community serving organization can make a difference to the future of Kodagu.
COHERA’S recent efforts mark an encouraging shift towards responsible tourism in Kodagu. With an emphasis on environmental awareness, heritage preservation and community participation, COHERA can remind locals and visitors that tourism cannot come at the cost of our land or culture.
Their endeavour should be to create a framework where every stakeholder participates proactively. If such mindful practices continue to grow, Kodagu can balance its natural beauty with the opportunities of modern tourism, ensuring that the place we proudly call home remains unspoilt for generations to come.
The newly branded COHERA definitely seems to be taking steps in the right direction. A change in leadership makes all the difference – transparency, accountability, integrity and most importantly – INCLUSIVENESS. The colocation of the COHERA office contiguous to the District Tourism Office sets the right sense of purpose and networking.
The most important step now is to identify the path forward to implement true RESPONSIBLE TOURISM. Kodagu clearly cannot sustain the uncontrolled growth of tourism. Neither the infrastructure nor natural resources can enduringly sustain these volumes.
All stakeholders should support COHERA including HomeStays, Training Institutes, Panchayats for proper waste management, Educational Institutions for imparting proper value systems on “cleanliness being next to Godliness”, Community Sanghas and Not-for-Profit Organizations. Large resorts can definitely step up their contribution in many relevant areas.
Kudos to COHERA for quietly executing meaningful steps like the Clean Kodagu Drive, Co-location of office and so on.
COHERA and Kodagu have the wonderful opportunity to become a model destination for RESPONSIBLE TOURISM in its truest form. More power to the group!