The Blue Yonder
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The Blue Yonder(TBY) was set up to support and raise funds for a non profit organisation called Nila Foundation that seeks to revive and regenerate a dying river in Kerala. TBY uses tourism as a tool to both spread awareness and to implement river conservation methods wherever possible. TBY also has taken upon itself to promote the unique cultural heritage of the river valley. This perhaps would be the first time in India that an entrepreneur has promoted river based tourism with these specific objectives in mind. Locations that TBY operates in include Wayanad, River Nila, Nilambur, Chimmony, Chinnar, Periyar and Alleppey.
Member since: 20 Dec 2005
How the minimum criteria of the 
responsible travel standard was met...
responsible travel standard was met...economic responsibility
- 20% of net profit from The Blue Yonder is benchmarked for the Nila Foundation. Primarily supported by The Blue Yonder, Nila Foundation is working towards reviving and regenerating the River Nila.
- Sand miners and sand smugglers are encouraged to be part of the team as our guides, assistants, boat owners and oarsmen. With this we have set about trying to convince them that engaging in tourist assistance could be an alternative source of income as compared to the risky and destructive job of sand-mining.
- Supplementary income for folk artists by the River Nila. Several art forms like ‘Kalam varayal’, have gone into oblivion mainly because of its inability to generate any more income for the community members. We proposed to include this as a regular feature in our tour programs and this has certainly made an impact on these minority community members.
- Organising spice tours in Wayanad to supplement agricultural income for those farmers in dire straits. There were incidents of many suicides in this region because of a drop in cash crop prices. Currently we work with small farmers with multiple crops.
environmental responsibility
- Recyclable bamboo rafts: The bamboo we use for rafting can be grown back within a time span of three months. We also make sure that every time we have a guest coming to any of the properties we promote, they plant a sapling as a support to our conservation effort.
- Supports organic farming and organic foods. Wherever it is possible we provide organically grown food. Two properties that we promote produce only organic farm products.
- Waste collection along trekking trails: Though its practically impossible to remove all the plastics and trash left over by other travellers and tour operators, we make sure our staff carry some garbage bags to collect whatever waste is possible. Though there is no compulsion on the tourists to do the same, it will be a great beginning if the traveller also join us.
social responsibility
- Investing as a Social Entrepreneur: While discussing the benefits of tourism to potential entrepreneurs in the initial stages (in an area where tourism activities are far less compared to rest of Kerala), we encountered hesitation and disbelief. This was taken care of by becoming a stake holder and by partly investing in various projects like home stays, country boats, out-door activity equipments and marketing materials.
- Promoting a river as a tourist destination to bring attention to the local community as well as getting international attention towards the plight of the river. This initiative has led many of our guests to make available their services as volunteers to work for the foundation.
- All the tours that we have created are people focused. This enables the tourists to mingle and experience everyday life of the region.