Tourism News
Kerala Pioneers Global Initiative for Gender-Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism
Kerala has taken a significant stride towards becoming a global model for women-friendly tourism by hosting an international conference that concluded with a groundbreaking declaration and a call to action. The three-day Global Women Conference on Gender-Inclusive & Responsible Tourism, held at Mankulam near Munnar from 30 Nov to 2 Dec 2024, brought together policy makers, industry stakeholders and international experts to deliberate on promoting sustainable and inclusive practices in tourism worldwide. The conference was organized by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society (KRTM) Society in collaboration with Kerala Tourism and UN Women, the three-day event is the first of its kind to focus on gender inclusivity and women-friendliness in tourism.
Tourism Minister Shri. P. A. Mohammed Riyas emphasized that international experts and stakeholders participating in the conference would play a crucial role in shaping future steps to enhance gender inclusivity and safety for women tourists. He highlighted the importance of leveraging Kerala’s grassroots efforts in responsible tourism to achieve this ambitious vision.
The conference featured insights from renowned global figures, including Ms. Susan Ferguson, UN Women India Representative, who emphasized the pivotal role of gender audits in shaping inclusive tourism policies. Dr. Harold Goodwin, Founder of Responsible Tourism and Global Chairman of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, commended Kerala’s leadership in conducting a gender audit as a precursor to policy formulation. He lauded the state’s commitment to democracy and its role as a global model for responsible tourism.
Other notable contributors included Ms. ClarezielDe Ladringan, Assistant Professor at Cebu Normal University and alumna of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, Ms. Jayni Gudka, CEO of Unseen Tours and founder of Sama International, and Ms. Charmarie Maelge, a visiting faculty member in the Hospitality and Leisure Management Department at the University of Colombo. Ms. Elisa Spampinato, a community tourism consultant, shared insights on fostering community engagement in tourism initiatives.
Dr. Aunkrisa Sangchumnong, Director of the Office of Academic Promotion and Registration, and Iaia Maria Rosaria Pedemonte, founder of Gender Responsible Tourism (GRT) in Italy, also contributed to discussions on integrating gender inclusivity into sustainable tourism practices. Ms. Hyojeong Kim, CEO and Founder of NomadHer, and Lenny Yusrini, Associate Professor in Ecotourism and Committee Member of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia (ICRT-SEA), underscored the importance of innovative strategies for empowering women in tourism.
Ms. Catalina Pavel, a travel writer and CEO of Hai in India, along with Ms. Aayusha Prasain, CEO of Community Homestay Network, shared success stories of grassroots women entrepreneurs transforming tourism landscapes.
Kerala Tourism Secretary Shri Biju K reiterated the department’s dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for women, emphasizing the need for gender justice in tourism. Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran, who presented the audit findings, announced plans for regular assessments to continuously enhance women-friendly initiatives. She emphasized that feedback from women travelers would play a critical role in shaping future policies.
Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society (KRTM) Society CEO Shri Rupeshkumar K described the conference as a “significant milestone” in Kerala’s journey toward achieving 100% gender justice and safe travel for women. Devikulam MLA Shri A Raja presided over the event, praising Kerala’s community-based tourism model, while Idukki MP Shri Dean Kuriakose expressed pride in hosting such a landmark conference in the globally renowned district of Idukki. Other key participants included State Planning Board Member Ms Mini Sukumar, Kerala Travel Mart Secretary Shri S Swaminathan, and UN Women Kerala Coordinator Dr Peeja Rajan, who contributed valuable insights to the discussions.
The Kerala Declaration and Call to Action
A highlight of the conference was the adoption of "The Kerala Declaration on Gender-Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism." The declaration underscored the urgent need to foster gender inclusivity, accessibility and climate-responsive practices in the tourism sector, prioritizing the safety, well-being and empowerment of women.
The four-point "Call to Action" advocates for:
1. Integrating gender inclusivity and responsible tourism practices as core principles in tourism planning, with a special focus on women-friendly initiatives.
2. Strengthening collaboration across sectors and stakeholders to share knowledge, resources and strategies.
3. Continuous monitoring and reporting to ensure gender inclusivity, transparency and accountability.
4. Advocating policies that protect women's rights in tourism, addressing gender-based challenges, and enhancing safety and empowerment.
This action plan aligns with the broader goal of fostering a sustainable and inclusive tourism model that benefits local communities, businesses, travellers and governments.
