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Podcast: Unpacked by Afar
Episode: Tourism Was Destroying Kerala. So Kerala Fought Back.
Description: Kerala is one of the most striking states in southern India, with sandy beaches, lagoons, and cultural traditions that are magnets for travelers. But 15 years ago, tourism was taking its toll. Rice paddies were being destroyed to build resorts and hotels. Waste had become unmanageable. Locals weren’t benefiting economically. It’s a story that could’ve been a downward spiral, and yet it wasn’t. In this week’s episode, journalist Paige McClanahan—host of the Better Travel Podcast—travels to Kerala to learn how the government responded and to witness the radical changes that followed. As she explores...