Kerala for All conclave: Kerala rides the Responsible Tourism wave

What started as a community-level vegetable cultivation among a group of local community members has now evolved into a nationally acclaimed Responsible Tourism movement in Kerala, Rupeshkumar, chief executive officer, Kerala RT Mission Society, has said.

Addressing a session on Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Legacy as part of the two-day conclave on inclusive and accessible tourism organised by Kerala Tourism and The Hindu here on Saturday, he said when the Responsible Tourism Mission was launched in Kerala in 2007, many critics wanted to know what role vegetable cultivation would play in tourism.

“We wanted to develop community-based tourism activities that offered a different and engaging experience for the visitors. With activities such as coconut climbing, coir-making and fishing for visitors, village tourism over the years became a big success story of Kerala under the Responsible Tourism Mission, winning accolades including national awards for the Best RT Village and the Best Agri-Tourism Village for the projects it implemented at Kadalundi in Kozhikode and Kumarakom, respectively,” said Mr. Rupeshkumar.