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Debbie
Ward has spent more than 15 years
as a journalist, several as Features
Editor of Travel Trade Gazette.
She now works freelance.
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Extract
from Travel Uni online training course for Travel Agents on
the Indian state of Kerala
Special interest
Kerala’s beaches, lush hills and scenic backwaters give
it scenic splendour but for a deeper experience there are plenty
of opportunities to get involved in Kerala’s culture and
to get closer to its natural attractions.
Topic 1: Ayurveda
The Indian wellness system Ayurveda has gained popularity in
the UK in recent years. Kerala is the heartland for the practice,
offering spa treatments to clinic stays.
Page 1: Theory
Ayurveda has become a fashionable spa treatment in the UK in
last few years but you may be surprised to learn it has existed
in India since 600BC .
Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words Ayu meaning ‘life’
and Veda meaning ‘knowledge’ or ‘science’
so it is taken to mean ‘Knowledge of Life’ or ‘Science
of Life’. It is believed to be the oldest health system
in the world. Though it is practised throughout India, Ayurveda
is followed particularly closely in Kerala, making it the perfect
place for treatments.
Followers of Ayurveda believe that three main forces or ‘doshas’
control the body which are related to sun, moon and wind and
that illness occurs when these are out of balance.
Harmony is restored through the use of herbal medicines and
massage and spiritual practise like meditation. Ayurveda is
said to be preventative as well as curative.
Practitioners believe it can improve immunity and longevity
and can also be used as an aid to slimming and beauty.
Page 2: Practice
Traditionally in Ayurveda the body is first cleansed of toxins
then balance is restored.Both stages are recommended by serious
practitioners but individual treatments will be offered in spas.
The removal of toxins, through a system called panchakarma,
can involve purging by induced vomiting or enemas. Most tourists
however are more likely to want to try the restoration part
of the process in which nature-based medicines, herbal baths
and massage are administered.
In some of the more relaxing Ayurveda treatments oil is poured
onto the forehead or used for massages. Some massages are administered
by several people at once, or by a masseur using their feet
while holding onto a rope attached to the ceiling. This foot
kind of massage is a Keralan speciality.
Meditation and yoga - the ancient Indian form of exercise involving
balances and stretches - may be recommended in conjunction with
Ayurveda treatments as part of the process of bringing mind
and body into harmony.
The monsoon season is said to be the best time to receive
Ayurveda treatments because the air is dust-free and the pores
of the body are more open and receptive to oils.
Page 3: Ayurveda centres
As a leading centre for the practise of Ayurveda, Kerala has
a wide choice of places where tourists can receive treatments,
ranging from hotel spas to specialist hospitals.
Ayurveda hospitals or clinics have courses devised by physicians
who are likely to ask about a patient’s emotional wellbeing
as well as their physical symptoms, before prescribing a programme
of treatment that could last several weeks.
Some clinics and hotel spas, on the other hand, will offer the
option of individual treatments, sometimes in beautiful, relaxing
surroundings.
Most five-star hotels in Kerala will include a spa offering
Ayurveda treatments like herbal baths and oil massages among
other popular spa treats from around the world.
Kerala Tourism has a classification system for Ayurveda centres
to indicate they meet good health and safety standards. It awards
approved centres with an Olive Leaf or, if they involve more
plush facilities, a Green Leaf ranking. To gain a Green Leaf
centres must include a steam baths and high quality fixtures
and fittings and ideally they will be in picturesque, leafy
locations. You can find a list of accredited centres at www.keralatourism.org/ayurveda.
Did you know? Kerala is also
a hotspot for other kinds of medical tourism including dentistry.
Topic 2: Homestays
The homestay concept has really taken off in Kerala. It is
the perfect choice for tourists who want accommodation with
character and the opportunity to experience local culture
at a greater depth.
Page 1: Why homestays?
Homestay - the concept of tourist accommodation in a family
dwelling - is growing in popularity across the world. Kerala
is ahead of the trend, offering plenty such experiences.
India is known for its fantastic cultural diversity and this
is a big part of its attraction for tourists. A stay of a week
or two is barely enough to scratch the surface of this fascinating
country but for those who want a deeper level of experience
in a short time a homestay is the perfect answer.
As the name suggests, a homestay is accommodation with a family
but the use of the term varies. Sometimes it is applied to what,
in the UK, we would call Bed & Breakfast, where you would
most likely meet your hosts only on check-in and the following
morning, at other times it refers to a more cultural exchange
experience with meals enjoyed with the host family. Either way
you’re likely to enjoy wonderful home-cooked food and
accommodation with character. Hosts may also be able to arrange
transfers, local excursions or cooking lessons.
The homestay concept has particularly taken off in Kerala
and there are numerous options for this type of accommodation
from modest houses to antique-filled colonial mansions.
Page 2: Booking homestays
The homestay concept has become so popular in Kerala that there’s
now an acrediction scheme for this form of accomodation. Homestays
are also pre-bookable through some operators.
Homestays in Kerala are now featured by some India specialist
UK tour operators. particularly in the hill station areas.
Another pre-bookable route is by using Mahindra Homestays. This
Indian-owned company, which pays commission to travel agents,
offers over 40 homestays in Kerala located in Kochi, the backwater
region and the hill stations of the Western Ghats. All guest
bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and meals with the host family
are an option. See www.mahindrahomestays.com.
Homestays can also be booked direct with guidance from Kerala
Tourism. A list of those classified by the Department of Tourism
appears at www.keralatourism.org/homestay.
Homestays are given Diamond, Gold and Silver rankings. As a
standard requirement the family must live on site and at least
one member speak English.
As the definition of a homestay can vary, check both your
clients’ expectations and what is offered at the accomodation.
If your customer is hoping to spend time chatting with their
hosts and learning more about their culture, a good question
to ask is whether or not the homeowner would share meals with
guests.
Questions
What does Ayurveda mean?
Life after death
Knowledge of life
The tree of knowledge
Life is like a box of chocolates.
Ayurveda has been practised in
India since...
600AD
The 1960s
600BC
1996
Which of the following are used in Ayurveda treatments?
Tea and biscuits
Crushed shells and sand
Herbs and oil
petals and pollen
An unusual form of massage used
in Ayurveda involves the masseur using...
Chilli paste
Their elbows
Their feet
A trained monkey
Olive leaf and green leaf are...
The names of five-star eco hotels in Kerala
The classifications Kerala Tourism gives to approved ayurveda
centres
The name of twin wildlife reserves in the Western Ghats
Key ingredients in chicken tikka masala.
Which of the following is not likely
to be a benefit of a homestay?
Home-cooked food
Character accomodation
A full service spa
A cultural experience
What is a good question to ask
a homestay when looking for a cultural experience?
Do the host family dine with their guests?
What time is breakfast?
Is there a pool?
Do you accept pets?
Homestays classifed by India’s
Ministry of Tourism must...
Provide a pool.
Provide a packed lunch.
Have at least one member of the host family who speaks English.
Offer a transfer service.
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