Dr. Harold Goodwin, Founder and Director of UK-based International Centre for Responsible Tourism, has announced that Kerala is to be declared as the world leader in Responsible Tourism in 2022 at the World Travel Market at Trivandrum on January 25, 2020. He also said that democracy and transparency are the major components of RT in Kerala, while addressing the Tourism Industry Partners, which was organised by the Responsible Tourism Mission, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. “First, what makes Kerala ascend the world leadership is the concerted action among government, local people and tourism industry in RT activities. Secondly, RT gives equal importance to socio-economic and environmental responsibilities. Thirdly, after the implementation of RT activities, there is an increase in the number of domestic tourists to Kerala,” Dr. Goodwin said.
In her address, Ms. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, said: “We need focused initiatives and unique identity for each place for effective implementation of RT. We want our tourism to be more experiential and responsible. To yield results, we should identify the areas that we need to concentrate on. We also need more interaction with the community, hoteliers and resort owners.”
On the occasion, the Tourism Secretary presented a State Government award to Dr. Goodwinfor his guidance and contributions to RT activities in the state.
Mr K. Rupesh Kumar, Co-ordinator, State RT Mission, who was recently conferred with World Travel Mart Responsible Tourism Outstanding Achievement Jury Award 2020, was also honoured.
The participants at the meet suggested that it was vital to extend the duration of stay of tourists by tapping the tourism potential of unidentified rural areas. The entrepreneurs also expressed their willingness to rebrand tourism places, including Kovalam in the capital city by associating with the activities of RT Mission.
Around 200 selected entrepreneurs from various parts of the state attended the panel discussion and shared their experience at the meet.
Kerala State Tourism Advisory Members, Mr E.M. Najeeb, President, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, Mr. P. K. Anish Kumar, Former President, ATTOI and Mr. K.V. Ravisankar, Managing Editor, Tourism India media group, also spoke.
