KUMARAKOM: Kumarakom has received national recognition as an example of how a tourism destination can be developed through community participation, locally created experiences and environmental protection.

Speaking at the TNIE Tourism Summit 2026 in Chennai, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, cited Kumarakom along with Ekta Nagar in Gujarat and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Uttar Pradesh as examples of destinations that can attract travellers while creating economic opportunities for local communities.

Billa noted that Kumarakom's tourism development has taken place over approximately two decades, with local communities playing an important role in creating tourism experiences and generating livelihoods. He also highlighted the destination's efforts to support its ecology and environment.

Community participation at the heart of tourism

Kumarakom's recognition is significant because the destination has developed a tourism model that goes beyond conventional sightseeing. The backwater village is known for its houseboats, village experiences, traditional cuisine, birdwatching, waterways and locally operated tourism services.

Community participation has helped connect tourism with local livelihoods, allowing residents and small businesses to benefit from the growing visitor economy.

The Ministry of Tourism's recognition also comes at a time when India is looking to develop more destinations capable of attracting international visitors and creating employment opportunities.

Focus on creating global destinations

Billa said India needs to develop more global tourism destinations to meet rising demand and give travellers a wider range of experiences within the country. He cited Kumarakom as one example of a destination where tourism development has combined visitor experiences with community involvement and environmental considerations. 

He also referred to the proposed 'One State, One Global Destination' approach, under which each state would identify a destination for focused development. According to the report, the proposed scheme could provide grants of up to ₹500 crore, subject to states demonstrating progress.

Kumarakom's sustainable tourism legacy

Kumarakom has long been associated with responsible and community-oriented tourism in Kerala. Its development as a backwater destination has involved local residents, homestays, houseboat operators, farmers, artisans, restaurants and other tourism-linked businesses.

The latest recognition from the Ministry of Tourism puts Kumarakom's experience in a broader national context, highlighting how tourism can contribute to local employment while protecting the environmental character of a destination.

For Kumarakom, the recognition reinforces its position as more than a backwater holiday destination. It highlights the village as an example of how community, tourism experiences and environmental responsibility can be brought together in destination development.

As India seeks to expand its international tourism offering, Kumarakom's two-decade experience could provide useful lessons for other destinations looking to build tourism while ensuring that local communities remain an integral part of the process.