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The ‘Responsible Tourism’ (RT) initiatives of Kerala have yet again garnered recognition with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) describing them as a model for other destinations to replicate.
The world’s foremost international tourism organisation also called for the development of closer ties with Kerala Tourism and emphasised on the need to associate with the state to help take forward the message of sustainable tourism.
Mr. U.V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism had presented a report on the RT campaigns to Mr. Xu Jing, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO, at a meeting held at the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid.
The report detailed the RT policies and practices which were implemented in the state. It also outlined plans of action undertaken as part of this commitment to sustainability such as the implementation of a new RT Classification system keeping in line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, the Government of Kerala’s ‘Green Carpet’ programme, the creation of destination-level RT units to support local communities and transformative initiatives adopted by trade sector entities like the Kerala Travel Mart’s (KTM) ‘9-point agenda’.
Observing that the UNWTO’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 (IYSTD2017) was a good opportunity to focus on local development, Mr. U. V. Jose said that the aim is now to certify small destinations across the state according to the same criterion.
Congratulating Kerala for the initiative’s success, Mr. Jing said, “The UNWTO is proud of the work done by Kerala Tourism and impressed by the Kerala model of responsible and sustainable tourism. The projects can be included as part of UNWTO’s global programmes and the report can be a case study for other destinations. We are eager to strengthen our relationship and discuss matters of common interest.”
Mr. Jing also enquired about the possibility of collaboration between Kerala Tourism and UNWTO to create an RT advocacy agenda based on the ‘Responsible Tourism Symposium’ in South Korea. He also suggested initiating an RT award at the next edition of the KTM along the lines of the Japanese Travel Association’s (JATA) Japan Tourism Award for Responsible Tourism.
“The recognition and request to take the RT message further by the UNWTO reflects the strength of Kerala’s pioneering initiatives and its commitment to practicing tourism in a responsible and sustainable manner with the interests of the local community, the traveller and the planet in mind. Tourism policies in Kerala have always been tempered by an understanding of the uniqueness of the state’s many diverse destinations and their successes are an affirmation of what RT stands for,” said Mr. U. V. Jose.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of FITUR 2017, one of the world’s largest tourism and travel fairs. Mr. U. V. Jose had also attended the launch event of UNWTO’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
