Kerala wins Global Responsible Tourism Award for its sustainable women-inclusive intiatives

Appeal for responsible tourism

The London-based organisers selected the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission as a joint winner along with Eswatini, the erstwhile Swaziland, a landlocked country in southern Africa, which is noted for eco-friendly Ngwenya Glass.

Riyas said the international award reflected the universal appeal of responsible tourism projects that Kerala has successfully implemented, thereby establishing a viable model for the rest of India and other countries.

“The crux of this model is that it helps conserve nature and tangible and intangible heritage while bringing substantial benefits to local communities,” the minister added.

Women friendly tourism 

He said the Kerala RT Mission has been implementing women-friendly tourism projects in the state with the support of UN Women, the UN arm dedicated to gender equality and women empowerment.

Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission. (Facebook)

“The award jury recognised the work of the RTM in promoting the ethnic and traditional foods of each locality through tourism, providing authentic local food experiences enjoyed in local homes for tourists, besides generating additional income for the local communities,” the Tourism Department said.

The Global Responsible Tourism Awards, which cater to Africa, India and Latin America regions, were given in six categories including Best for Tackling Plastic Waste; Best for Meaningful Connections; Best for Local Sourcing – Craft and Food; Addressing Climate Change; Best for Diversity and Inclusion and Best for Nature-Positive Tourism.

Also Read: Kerala’s Maravanthuruthu won big at World Travel Mart in London

Previous awards

This is the second time Kerala RTM is getting the Responsible Tourism Global Award after its Water STREET project implemented in Maravanthuruthu in the Kottayam district bagged the honour in November 2022, at the World Travel Mart in London.

The award was for “conserving water and improving water security and supply for neighbours”. As part of the project, 18 canals, three rivers, and a backwater stretch flowing through Maravanthuruthu were rejuvenated.

Minister Riyas then said the Water STREET project showed the world that tourism could be a tool for water conservation if connected with local economic development.

Also Read: Kerala in NY’s ’52 Places to Go in 2023’ list

PATA Gold Award

In August, Kerala Tourism won the 2023 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in the Marketing Campaign (State & City – Global) category.

The state won the award for its innovative initiative to attract visitors. Conceptualised for an audience transitioning to normalcy post-Covid, the “Make up for lost time, pack up for Kerala” campaign targeted domestic tourists.

Minister Riyas then said the award was in recognition of Kerala Tourism’s aggressive promotional campaign to woo back tourists who were confined to their homes for a long period following the pandemic outbreak.

On NYT list

In January 2023, another feather was added to Kerala’s tourism cap. A New York Times (NYT) article included, “God’s Own Country” in its ‘52 Places to Go in 2023’ list.

The NYT listicle, which ranked Kerala 13, also lauded the state as a “Responsible Tourism Destination”.

Speaking to South First, Riyas had then said, “The New York Times and other international recognitions are a big boost for our morale. In the last year, the number of domestic tourists coming to Kerala is at an all-time record.”

“In 2023, we will our push caravan, responsible and experiential tourism initiatives. This will be done with the active participation of the people of the state as we want them to feel that they are the hosts,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)