Kerala’s people-centric responsible tourism model has emerged as a global benchmark, with international delegates at the Global Responsible Tourism Conference, held in Beypore, Kozhikode, stating that even advanced tourism nations have much to learn from the state’s approach.
Foreign experts underlined that Kerala stands apart for its deep community participation, where ordinary people are active stakeholders in tourism and beneficiaries of its economic and social impact.
Kevin Phun, Director, Centre for Responsible Tourism, Singapore, observed that while countries like Singapore are often seen as leaders in responsible tourism, their focus remains largely on sustainability aspects such as waste management. In contrast, Kerala’s model integrates local communities in a meaningful way, directly improving livelihoods and quality of life, making it globally replicable.
Highlighting Kerala’s influence beyond the state, Oshan Lepcha of the Association for Conservation and Tourism said the idea of village-led development in the Northeast was inspired by Kerala’s responsible tourism framework. Renu Sharma, Co-founder of HTO House, shared how a Kerala Tourism report led Himachal Pradesh to adopt responsible tourism practices, including a community kitchen based on the Kudumbashree model, now being scaled up across the state under the “Mystic Village” project.
The valedictory session featured Kerala Tourism Additional Secretary Jagadish D and Rupesh Kumar, CEO, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, along with presentations from experts from Nepal and Kerala’s adventure tourism sector.
A strong focus on gender equality in tourism marked the conference discussions. Speakers stressed the need for greater representation of women in public and leadership spaces, with experts noting that economic empowerment and institutional support are crucial for inclusive tourism. Kerala’s responsible tourism initiatives were widely cited for creating positive social change for women.
Sessions also showcased successful responsible tourism models from across Kerala, including rural tourism, agri-tourism, destination management, and industry-led initiatives. Another key theme was sustainable marketing, where global and Indian experts discussed ethical storytelling, digital platforms, and responsible destination branding.
The conference concluded with a consensus that Kerala’s responsible tourism ecosystem—built on community ownership, inclusivity, and sustainability—offers a scalable model for destinations worldwide.
