As I checked Google Maps and made my way to Malikadavu, my mind was filled with excitement and curiosity. The journey was towards the homestay run by Abida Rasheed under the Responsible Tourism Mission of the Kerala government. Since it was rainy, there was no sunlight. A gentle breeze was softly caressing me.

The vehicle stopped in front of a gate painted in dark green. At first, I was a bit unsure, but I quickly realized that this is the place.

As I opened the gate and stepped inside, Abida came out with a bright smile. ‘You’re from Dool News, right?’ she asked, inviting me into the house.

Eyes gently moved toward the stone pots arranged in rows. The handicrafts, some over 150 years old, are another unique feature of Aabida Rasheed’s house. Someone’s words came to mind.

Entering the light yellow-colored hall, I felt like I’d stepped into a magical world. Many handicrafts were beautifully displayed there. As I stood admiring a painting on the wall, Abida’s voice woke me from my trance. ‘Please, have a seat,’ she said, smiling.

Returning the same smile, I sat on the sofa. Just as I settled, tea was brought over. By then, it had started raining outside. Through the large glass window in front of the sofa, Abida began to speak.

Aabitha began speaking as she gently enjoyed the rain through the large glass window in front of the sofa.

‘It’s been 25 years since I started this venture. My motto is to make Kozhikode a food city.’ Her passion sparkled in her eyes as she continued. ‘I joined the RT Mission in 2019. I didn’t start this as just a homestay. It’s a culinary homestay, where I showcase Kozhikode’s traditional cuisine to the world. We take visitors to Kozhikode’s heritage sites, including Beypore Harbor, giving people from all over a glimpse of our culture and identity,’ Aabitha said enthusiastically.

When asked about the changes brought by joining the RT Mission, Aabitha’s first response was a gentle smile. ‘The RT Mission brought my first foreign visitors to my homestay. If people from America or Britain came looking for me here in Malikkadavu, Kozhikode, it’s all thanks to the RT Mission. I’m thrilled to have been able to offer them the best services I can,’ she said, with another warm smile.

‘Make sure to shoot everything you need,’ Aabitha would occasionally remind us as the shoot progressed smoothly alongside our conversation.

‘I just have one request—that everyone knows this is more than just a homestay. I’m showcasing our culture and heritage to the world. That’s my goal,’ Aabitha reiterated. ‘Once we’re done downstairs, there’s a library upstairs too with two rooms,’ she added.

Before going upstairs, I took one last look at the large window that caught my eye. ‘Can I open it, Aabitha?’ I asked. ‘Of course, go ahead,’ she replied, and I realized they were actually doors. Opening them led to another courtyard, a beautiful little yard from where one could step into the garden and walk along the pathway. I slowly walked down to the courtyard, where the ground was sprinkled with fallen champak flowers, the scent of fresh rain in the air. A soft breeze gently brushed past.

I walked back inside, where Aabitha was waiting. She was eager to introduce me to the collection of cookbooks in her upstairs library. In the hall, there was a large collection of Gramophone records preserved for decades. We looked on in wonder. ‘My husband and I collected these over many years,’ she said with pride.

Time seemed to fly when talking with Aabitha, and we hardly noticed the hours pass. By four in the afternoon, we bid her farewell. Aabitha walked us to the porch, asking when we’d meet again. ‘We’ll meet again soon,’ we replied as we left.

Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission) under the Tourism Department ensures active local community involvement in the state’s tourism initiatives.

Significant reforms to the RT initiative were made under Tourism Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas. The Responsible Tourism Mission, inaugurated on October 20, 2017, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, serves as the state’s primary agency for promoting RT initiatives across Kerala and implementing similar concepts.

Through Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission, visitors can not only discover local regions but also connect with the local people and their distinct culture. In short, Kerala warmly welcomes everyone to know the land and its people, offering the benefits of tourism to the local communities in a meaningful way.

Content Highlight: Abida Rasheed, a native of Kozhikode and Malikkadav, runs Ethnic Food and Home Stay under responsible tourism.