The Kerala tourism department has come forward to promote the traditional coir-making process as a tourism product. It has proposed to bring together the traditional wares and craftsmen along with their products under one roof.
The department has proposed to set up two coir villages at Munambam and Palluruthy in Ernakulam district for the purpose. The proposed villages will have everything associated with the industry, including the traditional process of coir production from de-fibering to coir yarning to weaving and designing, according to a Khaleej Times report. The tourism department decision to promote coir tourism is likely to change the scene as it will be offering support to the coir industry to come out with high-quality gift items and souvenirs that the visitors can take home. Several companies have already turned their focus towards such items in the light of the growing global shift towards eco-friendly products. A wide variety of these items were displayed at the Coir Kerala International Fair at Aleppey this week. The demand for coir and natural fibre products has been rising steadily, both within India and overseas. From just over Rs 3.2 billion in 2001-02 the value of coir exports rose to more than Rs 8.07 billion in 2010-11. Export volumes touched an all-time high of 321,016 tonnes last year — more than four-and-a-half times the figure a decade ago.
Click here to see the original article>The department has proposed to set up two coir villages at Munambam and Palluruthy in Ernakulam district for the purpose. The proposed villages will have everything associated with the industry, including the traditional process of coir production from de-fibering to coir yarning to weaving and designing, according to a Khaleej Times report. The tourism department decision to promote coir tourism is likely to change the scene as it will be offering support to the coir industry to come out with high-quality gift items and souvenirs that the visitors can take home. Several companies have already turned their focus towards such items in the light of the growing global shift towards eco-friendly products. A wide variety of these items were displayed at the Coir Kerala International Fair at Aleppey this week. The demand for coir and natural fibre products has been rising steadily, both within India and overseas. From just over Rs 3.2 billion in 2001-02 the value of coir exports rose to more than Rs 8.07 billion in 2010-11. Export volumes touched an all-time high of 321,016 tonnes last year — more than four-and-a-half times the figure a decade ago.