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Kerala Tourism, always at the forefront of exploring and implementing new ideas in the development of sustainable tourism was recently honoured with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ulysses Award for its Kumarakom Responsible Tourism project. The award is for 'Innovation in Public Policy and Governance'.
"The award is really a big honour for the State. It is a recognition of our continuing efforts to sustain global tourism with continuous support from the local community," said Mr. A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism.
"We are delighted that Kumarakom has become a model for sustainable tourism to the world. Our Responsible Tourism model shows that the future of tourism lies in the initiatives started from the grass-roots level. The award bestows upon us the added responsibility of working even harder in future, by achieving higher standards in tourism," said Mr. Suman Billa, Secretary, Kerala Tourism after receiving the award at the International Tourism Trade Fair held in Madrid, Spain.
"The Kumarakom project has become successful because of the sincere efforts of the government employees, local self-government, stake holders, local people and also with the support of travellers from around the world," said, Mr. S. Harikishore, Director, Kerala Tourism.
The Responsible Tourism initiative launched in 2008 at Kumarakom in Kottayam District, involves the local self-government (grama panchayat), the Kudumbasree, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), the local hospitality industry and the government departments of Agriculture and Health.
Instituted in 2003 by UNTWO, the Ulysses awards are given to those who represent some of the best examples of tourism leaders from around the world and have through their exceptional initiatives placed themselves at the forefront in the sector.
