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Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) initiatives have once again placed the state in the national spotlight, receiving two prestigious awards on World Tourism Day. The awards, for the Best RT Village and the Best Agri-tourism Village, were presented for the initiatives at Kadalundi and Kumarakom, respectively. This is the second consecutive year that Kerala has achieved top honours in the Tourism Village Awards, following Kanthalloor in Idukki district, which won the Gold Award last year.
The awards were conferred by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with the Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar in attendance, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Accepting the awards on behalf of Kerala were the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission (KRTM) Society CEO Shri K. Rupeshkumar, the Kadalundi Grama Panchayat President Smt. Anusha V. V. and the Kumarakom Grama Panchayat President Smt. Dhanya Sabu.
KRTM’s STREET (Sustainable Tangible Responsible Experiential Ethnic Tourism) project at Kadalundi, located in Kozhikode district, has been central to the area’s transformation into a sustainable tourism destination. The project was developed in collaboration with the local Grama Panchayat, and is part of a larger initiative to create 10 STREET destinations across Kerala. Meanwhile, Kumarakom, a well-known backwater destination in Kottayam district, has been recognized as the Best Agri-tourism Village due to its successful transition into a major farm-tourism hub, driven by efforts made by the KRTM and the local panchayat.
Kerala’s Tourism Minister Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas stated that these awards validate Kerala’s leadership in promoting sustainable, inclusive tourism, a model that is more relevant than ever. The Tourism Secretary Shri K. Biju acknowledged the meticulous planning and dedicated execution of these projects, crediting the collaborative efforts of the Tourism Department, the RT Mission Society and the local communities.
The RT initiatives at Kadalundi, part of a broader plan to turn the region into a prime Green Destination, include activities like boating through backwaters lined with mangroves, experiencing local cuisine, and exploring traditional crafts and livelihoods. The community-centric development model ensures that tourism activities benefit the local population while adhering to green protocols. Similarly, in Kumarakom, visitors enjoy farm-based experiences, such as fishing, farming and immersive interactions with local farmers, while enjoying the scenic beauty of paddy fields and waterways.
Both Kadalundi and Kumarakom exemplify how tourism can evolve through responsible, ethical and inclusive development, positioning Kerala as a global leader in sustainable tourism. These projects have attracted international attention, including bloggers from 26 countries who shared their experiences of Kadalundi on social media, further boosting the state’s visibility as a must-visit destination for Nature- and culture enthusiasts.
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