KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
The Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism concludes, heralding a new beginning
The ?Incredible India Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations? was organized from 21st to 24th March, 2008, at Kochi. The conference was jointly organized by India Tourism, Kerala Tourism and the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) India. Over 500 delegates from 29 countries representing hoteliers, tour operators, government agencies and NGOs participated in the meet.
Inaugurated by Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism, the conference saw many well-arranged sessions in which eminent personalities from the travel and tourism sector participated. Mr. Shilabhadra Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, delivered the Presidential address at the glittering inaugural session. Dr Venu V., Secretary, in his capacity as Co-Chair of the Conference, welcomed the delegates to the conference.
Delegates from Malaysia, South Africa, The Gambia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Asia Pacific presented experiences from their destinations.
Sudhir Sahi, UNDP National Consultant, Rural Tourism Project, delivered a thematic presentation on the Rural Tourism Experience in India.
The highlight of the Conference was the presentation of case studies from Indian destinations and a session that captured the experiences of the Kerala practitioners on community-based tourism.
Site visits to Thattekkad, Kumbalangi, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Kumarakom, Alappuzha and Mararikulam were also conducted. This followed group discussions based on the site visits.
The conference concluded with the adoption of a Kerala Declaration on Responsible Tourism 2008.
