Responsible tourism policies

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About The Blue Yonder:

The Blue Yonder (TBY) was set up to support and raise funds for a non profit organisation called Nila Foundation that seeks to revive and regenerate a dying river in Kerala. TBY uses tourism as a tool to both spread awareness and to implement river conservation methods wherever possible. TBY also has taken upon itself to promote the unique cultural heritage of the river valley. This perhaps would be the first time in India that an entrepreneur has promoted  river based tourism with these specific objectives in mind.  Locations that TBY operates in include Wayanad, River Nila, Nilambur, Chimmony, Chinnar, Periyar and Alleppey.

We stick to the 2002 Cape Town Declaration that says that Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms that is characterised by travel and tourism which
 

1. minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;
2. generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
3. involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;
4. makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity;
5. provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
6. provides access for physically challenged people; and is
7. culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

We follow the criteria of Economic, social and environmental policies to achieve this on the ground:
 

Economic Policy:

20% of net profit from The Blue Yonder is benchmarked for the Nila Foundation. Primarily supported by The Blue Yonder, Nila Foundation is working towards reviving and regenerating the River Nila.

Sand miners and sand smugglers are encouraged to be part of the team as our guides, assistants, boat owners and oarsmen. With this we have set about trying to convince them that engaging in tourist assistance could be an alternative source of income as compared to the risky and destructive job of sand-mining. In fact, sand-mining is one reason why the river is dying at a rapid pace. Being part of TBY would ensure that they have a steady livelihood which help preserve their dignity. As of now we don’t have the volume of guests to make this a viable or sustainable source of income. But we believe that this is a right step in the right direction.

Naturalist, guides and interpreters are drawn from the local community in the areas we operate in. And majority of the programs are being run by them. (Except for occasional assistance from naturalists and  trainers where such skills are not locally available.) These include: river rafting, trekking, camping, wildlife safari etc. None of these programs make them totally dependent on tourism, but are projected as alternative or supplementary employment opportunities.

Supplementary income for folk artists by the River Nila. Several art forms like ‘Kalam varayal’, have gone into oblivion mainly because of its inability to generate any more income for the community members. We proposed to include this as a regular feature in our tour programs and this has certainly made an impact on these minority community members.

Organising spice tours in Wayanad to supplement agricultural income for those farmers in dire straits. There were incidents of many suicides in this region because of a drop in cash crop prices. Currently we work with small farmers with multiple crops.

Culinary arrangements or facilities organised in the kitchens of local community. Almost all our outdoor activities are supported and managed by community members. This ensures supplementary source of income for many families who live in the fringe areas of forests and rivers.

Social policy:

Investing as a Social Entrepreneur: While discussing the benefits of tourism to potential entrepreneurs in the initial stages (in an area where tourism activities are far less compared to rest of Kerala), we encountered hesitation and disbelief. This was taken care of by becoming a stake holder and by partly investing in various projects like home stays, country boats, out-door activity equipments and marketing materials.

Right from the scratch the company was set up using concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Promoting a river as a tourist destination to bring attention to the local community as well as getting international attention towards the plight of the river. This initiative has led many of our guests to make available their services as volunteers to work for the foundation.

Supports Near the River – a series focusing on the River Valley Civilisation.

Identifying folk-art forms that are neglected or passing to oblivion. For almost all the trips we organise to the river, we make sure that we incorporate this as a program. As an indirect influence, the older members of the families have started teaching their children the art forms which ensures a longer lease of life for the art form.

Promoting musician’s families that belong to lower strata of the society. Supporting traditional martial arts school in the areas we operate.

Financially supporting nila foundation to work on projects like ‘Status of rivers in Kerala’ (Puzha Malayalam to be launched by end of October 2006), Video documentary on ‘Chalakudy river’, A book on birds in Purathur (along river Nila) and ‘Participatory research on environmental status of Kerala’

Launched an association of Responsible Property owners in the state of Kerala to promote the concepts of Responsible Tourism
 

Environmental Policy:

In many areas where we operate, there are no established solid waste management system. So we make sure that guests are properly briefed on this and try to reduce the impact of waste including plastics.

Recyclable bamboo rafts. The bamboo we use for rafting can be grown back within a time span of three months. We also make sure that every time we have a guest coming to any of the properties we promote, they plant a sapling or two as a support to our conservation effort.

Supports organic farming and organic foods. Wherever it is possible we provide organically grown food.(During our outdoor activities) Two properties that we promote produce only organic farm products.

Garbage Collection points on trekking trails in Wayanad. Irresponsible tourists and tour operators have made many natural beauty spot into a dumping yard. In areas where we operate we have made sure that there are waste collection centres and necessary sign boards (not so successful as these are pull down by people)  and have made sure that the waste is regularly collected and disposed off.

Our trackers and trekking assistants ensure that we collect any plastic and non bio degradable waste that we find on our trekking routes. This is jointly done with our guests.

Except for the visiting cards printed on eco friendly papers, we have stopped printing any more brochures. Our promotion is solely through our websites and electronic formats (no copies on CDs either which reduces E-WASTE).