GI Tourism is a win-win proposition for tourists and govt

There is a huge potential for private agencies to create their own business model to take tourists, on a pilot-basis, to the local regions and then expand it to the length and breadth of the country. There is also immense opportunity for digital content creators, who can upload stories and visuals of the crafts, products and link this to the world. The biggest gift of GI product is it helps linking people, places and products

We all must have come across terms like medical tourism, spiritual tourism and eco-tourism, but only a few must have heard about the newly evolving concept of ‘Geographical Indication’ (GI) tourism. This summer the family, in particular children, can invigorate themselves by exploring the exciting GI tourism package and return filly rejuvenated. It can be like a breath of fresh air especially for travel and adventure enthusiasts, who are planning to hit the road by going local.

Geographical Indication is a form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), which links a particular product with a place of origin and the people into it for generations together. The history of making and the reputation, which the product carries, make visiting such places even more worthwhile.

We all travel on work and vacations. India is a diverse nation with so many exotic and beautiful places to explore. In the two Telugu states, we have Tirupati, Hyderabad, Warangal, Siddipet, Karimnagar, Vizag and Pochampally, among others. But the question that needs to be pondered is whether we aware that each of these places has unique products which are registered as Geographical Indications of India.

Over 450+ products are registered in India and each of them can be a hot destination for tourists who can get connected to local traditions and see how these products are made. They can interact with the artisans and weavers.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are home to over 35 exclusive products, each of which can be a preferred destination for tourist and travel bloggers. They can check out these places and detour from the cities, which are already on their travelogue. So, you are, as an avid travel, spoilt for choice, so to say, when it comes to exploring culture and tradition and having a rollicking vacation.

There is a huge potential for private agencies to create their own business model to take tourists, on a pilot-basis, to the local regions and then expand it to the length and breadth of the country. There is also immense opportunity for digital content creators, who can upload stories and visuals of the crafts, products and link this to the world. The biggest gift of GI product is it helps linking people, places and products. With the government’s thrust on ‘One District One Product’, GI will fit the bill. This can bolster tourism, cottage industry and exports. Not only will GI tourism benefit weavers and producers, but even the State can earn handsome revenue when there is a gradual rush of GI tourists.

To cite an example, when you visit Warangal as a tourist for the 1000 pillars, temple, Laknawaram or Ramappa, you could also plan to take a detour to the places where Warangal Durries are being made and plan to stay back an additional day to see the craft making and also pick up a few souvenirs for your near and dear ones!

In Goa you can see feni production, in Jaipur Blue Pottery making and the list goes on. If you are in Andhra Pradesh, you can make it Bobbili, Etikoppaka and Araku Valley which are registered GIs. GI tourism has huge potential to spur rural entrepreneurship and with a good public-private partnership, GI tourism will be a game-changer for the travel industry and tourism sector. This will not only help in increasing tourist footprints but also boost infrastructure growth.

(The writer is Head -Legal & IPR, Resolute Group of Companies)