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Kerala is set to host an international conference on Responsible and Gender-Inclusive Tourism from 15 to 17 October - 2024. This event aims to showcase Kerala’s achievements in sustainable tourism through its globally-acclaimed Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, emphasizing community participation and environmental sustainability. The conference will feature discussions with global experts, stakeholders and policymakers to promote gender equality and sustainable tourism practices.
The Tourism Secretary Shri K. Biju highlighted that the RT initiative has been pivotal in establishing Kerala as an all-season experiential destination. The RT initiative has integrated tourism into the grassroots, involving local communities in a sustainable manner. The salient features of this project will be presented to a global audience at the conference.
The Global Responsible Tourism Summit, organized by Kerala Tourism in February 2023 at Kumarakom, had gained significant global attention. It led to the adoption of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Declaration 2023, which outlined three types of responsibilities: social, economic, and environmental. The declaration emphasizes regular assessment of economic impacts before developing tourism, and prioritizes initiatives that benefit local communities while minimizing negative impacts on their livelihoods.
Social responsibilities include involving local communities in planning, decision-making and capacity-building. To promote gender equality, and to ensure safe destinations for women, the State RT Mission collaborates with civic bodies and UN Women in all programmes. Environmental responsibilities focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions amid alarming climate change.
Since its inception in 2008, Kerala's RT initiative has evolved into a massive grassroots network with 25,188 registered units, of which 17,632 are either owned or led by women. Approximately 52,344 people directly and 98,432 indirectly have benefited from its activities, mostly in rural areas. The RT projects also promote art, craft and traditional livelihoods, earning numerous national and international honours. Kerala’s initiatives align well with the UNWTO theme of Tourism for inclusive growth, ensuring sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
