Around 15 to 20 years of relentless hard work and perseverance transformed Kuttettan from a tea seller to the proud owner of a beautiful resort. The turning point in his journey was Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative. Back then, Kuttettan used to sell tea to guests at nearby resorts. Today, he owns the charming Honey Rock Resort, boasting 11 rooms.
‘RT Mission played a huge role in my transformation from a tea seller to a resort owner. They encouraged me at every step. In those days, there were only three or four resorts here, and I used to supply tea to them. The guests there were the ones who told me not to limit myself to the tea shop,’ Kuttettan recalls.
At that time, access to Kanthalloor was limited, with very few shops around. Kuttettan remembers that his tea shop was one of the few establishments in the area. There were just eight jeeps in the whole of Kanthalloor back then, a number that has now grown to 116. Over the past two decades, Kanthalloor has undergone tremendous change, and so has Kuttettan’s life.
Talking to Kuttettan, you lose track of time as he narrates stories of migration, the famine days in Kanthalloor, the remnants of tribal culture, indigenous agricultural techniques, and the songs of his mother. His endless tales about Kanthalloor captivate every visitor, leaving them with a deep appreciation for the place and for Kuttettan himself.
‘I was just a tea seller who also farmed on the side. But I didn’t achieve all this alone. It was the RT Mission officials who came to see my farm and told me I needed to think beyond. Their inspiration and support made me who I am today,’ Kuttettan says with gratitude.
Slowly, Kuttettan overcame his fears. He learned booking, room service, packaging, and the principles of Responsible Tourism. He discovered the entrepreneur within him. With the support of the RT Mission, he realized how to integrate farming with tourism.
Kuttettan, who once greeted visitors with ‘Would you like some tea, sir?’ has gradually risen to a position where he now manages room services at his resort. His story is not just the tale of a tea seller who turned into a successful businessman. It is also a testament to the success of Responsible Tourism in empowering individuals from the grassroots to create their own identity. It showcases how tourism can uplift not just individuals but entire communities.
People like Kuttettan exemplify the goal of enabling local communities to be both contributors to and beneficiaries of tourism. Even today, Kuttettan remains at the same location where his tea shop once stood, but now as a resort owner. Kanthalloor is experiencing its spring, one of growth and flourishing tourism, marked by the emergence of many more ‘Kuttettans.’ May more such transformations happen, and may Responsible Tourism continue to thrive and flourish.
Content Highlight: From Tea Seller to Resort Owner: The Journey of Kuttettan
