KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
Phase II of Responsible Tourism initiatives launched
Responsible Tourism (RT) is an innovative and far-reaching concept, which is gradually taking roots in Kerala. The second phase of RT initiatives in the State was recently launched by Mr. A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism. The official website of the responsible tourism initiative,
www.rtkerala.com was also launched by the Tourism Minister. Mr. Harold Goodwin, Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), U.K., launched the Responsible Tourism Classification Standards in the function.
The pilot phase of Responsible Tourism was implemented only in four destinations viz. Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad. Among these destinations Kumarakom turned out to be a success model for Responsible Tourism in Kerala and was honoured by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for the best Responsible Tourism Initiative in Kerala.
Based on the success of the pilot phase, RT is now becoming a reality across Kerala. Important tourism spots like Kovalam, Kumarakom, Bekal, Vythiri, Kumbalangi, Thekkady and Ambalavayal will be covered initially in the second phase. RT is mainly conceived with three kinds of responsibilities, which are termed as the 'triple bottom-line' - economic responsibility, social responsibility and environmental responsibility.
A Responsible Tourism Classification, developed in line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) of the tourism industry in the State has also been introduced. The RT Classification is a self-assessment module with four key components: sustainable management, socio-cultural responsibility, economic responsibility and environmental responsibility.
