09/04/2021
WTM AFRICA 08 APRIL 2021
It was a well-received panel discussion of the experts and practitioners from various countries at WTM Africa. The panel discussion has emphasized on various successful community tourism models and the need for the Inclusion of local communities and their poverty reduction through tourism, experts mentioned it is as important as combating climate change and biodiversity loss. There are limited numbers of successful sustainable community tourism models, Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala and its participatory mechanism is one among them.
It is well described by Shri Rupesh Kumar K Sir who is the Coordinator - State Responsible Tourism Mission, Kerala that RT has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional form of tourism development methods (primarily as a bottom up approach), a participatory, holistic, and inclusive mechanism that has resulted in meaningful, tangible improvements in communities through creating jobs, reducing poverty, preserving art, culture and natural environment, stabilizing local economies, by increasing community control to decide and manage available tourism resources in the villages.
While discussing in the session on local communities at WTM Africa the expert emphasized on the Role of RT Mission Kerala for making a remarkable contribution by creating a value with the inclusion of local communities since the year of 2008. The RT Initiative was first implemented on a pilot basis at the four village destinations of the state ranging different topographies of state like Kumarakom (Backwaters), Kovalam (Beach), Wayanad (Hill station) and Thekkady (Wildlife).
It was collectively decided to practice responsible tourism in the state by considering the social, economic and environmental aspects and giving due weightage to these triple bottom-line approach of responsible tourism. With the success of these four rural destinations the second phase of responsible tourism in Kerala was launched in March 2012 and this phase lasted for seven years. In the second phase three more rural destinations had been added besides the successful continuation of the original four destinations.
Third phase of RT Initiative ( RT Mission) Kerala has started in June 2017 and it is well established and strengthened by now with the support of local communities.
Since, the beginning Mr. Rupesh Kumar K, the RT Mission Coordinator is working tirelessly in an eminent role to develop Kerala as one of the leading Responsible Tourism Destination in the World. He has designed and developed various successful tourism models in Kerala based on Economic, Socio-Cultural and Environmental Responsibilities.
The remarkable success of RT initiatives have resulted in expanding its initiative to all across the state. Now, it has over 20,000 registered units out of which 85% of RT units are led by women’s which offers approximately 140 Experiential Tour Packages across Kerala. Making tourism a tool for the development of village and local communities, eradicating poverty and giving emphasis to women empowerment are the main aims of the Responsible Tourism Mission. RT Mission has initiated the idea of The Samridhi Ethnic Food Restaurant in Kumarakom which is managed by eight women and received a Gold Awards of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). RT has done a commended work in empowering local women’s by training and involving them in executing village life experience tour packages and in Kudumbashree units.
It was a very fruitful panel discussion for the Industry practitioners, policy makers, academia and researchers. It gives us food for thought to think, learn and understand what can be done to address Goal number 1 (No Poverty) and Goal number 12 (Responsible Consumption and production) of SDG’s to include the local communities by creating a more value through tourism activities. We express our thanks of gratitude to our torch bearer, Prof. Harold Goodwin Sir who is a Senior Responsible Tourism Advisor at World Travel Market.
