New Delhi : Tucked away in the scenic Kerala backwaters, Kumarakom not only attracts thousands of tourists but also ensures that locals earn their livelihoods from the booming tourism industry.

Thanks to the 'Responsible Tourism' initiative of the panchayat that gives about 1,600 people of the region a share in the earnings from tourism by helping them market their products and also an opportunity to showcase their talent before the visitors. So while tourists can interact with the locals and see them going about their daily business catching fish or tending to crops, the locals get an additional source of income and get to be part of the state's bustling tourism industry.