Thiruvananthapuram: Showcasing its success in promoting participatory development in tourism through the globally acclaimed Responsible Tourism initiative, Kerala has planned an international conference on Responsible and Gender Inclusive tourism in October this year.
A country first such initiative, the conclave will present before the world Kerala’s experience in creating a sustainable and gender-inclusive tourism model and chart out plans to further strengthen the movement that has made a deep impact at the grassroots across the state with local communities benefiting substantially.
“The RT initiative has made vital contributions in marking Kerala as an all-season experiential destination. It has successfully taken tourism to the grassroots in a sustainable manner with the active participation of local communities. The salient features of this unique project will be unveiled before a global audience at the conclave,” Tourism Secretary, K Biju said.
Kerala Tourism had organised the Global Responsible Tourism Summit in Kumarakom in Feb 2023, drawing greater global attention to the initiative. The Global RT Summit saw the adoption of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Declaration 2023.
The 2023 Declaration, dwells on three kinds of responsibilities: social, economic and environmental. A vital guiding principle is the regular assessment of economic impacts before developing tourism. Preference will be for initiatives that benefit local communities and minimise negative impacts on livelihoods.
As for social responsibilities, local communities should be involved in planning, decision-making and capacity-building. To strengthen gender equality and ensure safe destinations for women as both hosts and guests, the State RT Mission will work with civic bodies and UN Women in all programmes.
“The details of the forthcoming conference in October are being worked out in consultation with the Tourism Department and other stakeholders. It will have riveting conversations involving domain experts, people’s representatives, policymakers, stakeholders, cultural personalities, conservationists and members of civil society outfits from India and abroad,” said Rupeshkumar K, CEO of Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society.
Launched in 2008 in four selected centres to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism initiatives, Responsible Tourism in Kerala has evolved into a massive grassroots level network having 25,188 registered units currently, of which 17,632 units are either owned or led by women.