Kerala's Responsible Tourism Initiative Earns Global Acclaim for Women's Empowerment
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's pioneering Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative has received international recognition for its significant contributions to women's empowerment and the strengthening of the rural economy. The state's tourism minister, PA Mohamed Riyas, announced this milestone during the inauguration of the five-day Kerala Responsible Tourism Festival in the city.
Widespread Impact and Community Participation
Minister Riyas highlighted that the Responsible Tourism Mission has established an impressive network of 26,000 RT units across Kerala. These units have directly benefited approximately 1.5 lakh families through various sustainable and inclusive projects. The initiative emphasizes community participation, ensuring that local residents are actively involved in tourism development.
A remarkable 80% of these RT units are led by women, showcasing Kerala's commitment to gender-inclusive tourism. This achievement aligns with the United Nations' Gender Inclusive Tourism policy, demonstrating the state's dedication to promoting equality in the tourism sector.
Financial Support and Budget Allocation for Women Entrepreneurs
In a significant move to further support women's economic participation, the Kerala government has earmarked Rs 4 crore in the 2025-26 budget specifically for women entrepreneurs. This funding will provide loans of up to Rs 15 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 4%, making financial resources more accessible to women in the tourism industry.
Additionally, 50% of the total budget allocated for the Responsible Tourism Mission is dedicated to women-focused initiatives. This substantial financial commitment underscores the state's strategy to prioritize women's empowerment within the tourism framework.
Diverse Tourism Experiences and Rural Development
The Responsible Tourism Mission has successfully created diverse and enriching experiences for travelers, including farm tourism and food tourism. These projects effectively link tourism with cultural and ecological conservation, elevating rural destinations such as Kanthalloor and Beypore to global prominence.
Tourism director Sikha Surendran reported that the mission has provided training and skill development to more than 20,000 individuals across various domains. These initiatives are designed to be inclusive of local communities, with a clear focus on strengthening the rural economy and enhancing the social and economic empowerment of women.
Economic Uplift and Recognition of Local Efforts
Rupeshkumar K, CEO of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, emphasized that the mission has facilitated the economic uplift of rural communities. Many villages have now become integral parts of RT destinations, benefiting from increased tourism activity and economic opportunities.
At the festival event, 33 grama panchayats were honored for their exceptional contributions in enhancing the performance of RT units within their regions. This recognition highlights the collaborative efforts between local governance and tourism initiatives.
Strategic Partnerships and Showcasing Local Products
A key development at the event was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementing an interest subvention scheme for women in RT units. The agreement was signed by Women Development Corporation managing director Bindu VC and Rupeshkumar, marking a strategic partnership to further support women entrepreneurs.
The Kerala Responsible Tourism Festival features around 120 stalls, exhibiting a wide range of traditional products and artefacts crafted by members and artisans of RT units from across the state. This showcase not only promotes local craftsmanship but also provides a platform for economic engagement and cultural preservation.
Kerala's Responsible Tourism initiative stands as a model for sustainable development, demonstrating how tourism can be leveraged to drive social change, economic growth, and environmental conservation while prioritizing gender equality and community welfare.
