Kerala to Host Global Responsible Tourism Summit from February 25

Kerala is all set to host a four-day global Responsible Tourism (RT) summit from February 25. The summit will showcase the state’s achievements in sustainable tourism and will aim to strengthen its model by bringing together emerging trends and demands. The event will take place in Kumarakom, known for its rustic charm, heritage, and lifestyle, and will witness around 200 attendees.

The summit will provide a platform for brainstorming on sustainable and experiential tourism products and packages in Kerala in partnership with various agencies in India and abroad. The state’s Tourism Minister, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, stated that the event would feature 15 international speakers and 20 more foreign speakers sharing their insights through virtual platforms. Additionally, about 60 experts will speak on more than 12 topics, and the event will feature a session titled “Inspiring Stories from Destinations,” where 100 tourists, including delegates, will share their experiences of traveling in the state.

The summit will culminate with the adoption of the revamped ‘Kerala RT Declaration’ on February 27, which will be followed by a field visit the next day. Delegates will visit the Maravanthuruthu Water Street project, which won a global award for its trail-blazing water conservation initiative linked to tourism development.

The event, organized by Kerala Tourism in association with the State RT Mission, will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas on February 26 at Lake Song Resort, Kumarakom, at 9 a.m. UN Women India representative Susan Ferguson and International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) founder Harold Goodwin will deliver the keynote address.

The summit is a significant step towards showcasing Kerala’s sustainable tourism model to the world and creating an ecosystem for responsible tourism practices globally.