Kerala bags Gold for Best in Responsible Tourism at WTM London
Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George receives the Gold Award
Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission has bagged Gold Award for Best in Responsible Tourism in the world. The award was received by Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George at the venue of World Travel Market, London on 6th October 2018.
Launched in October 2017, the RT Mission is envisaged with a ‘triple-bottom-line’ mission, which comprises economic, social and environmental responsibilities. 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.
Responsible Tourism model has been widely accepted by the world as a tool to reduce the adverse impacts of tourism, at the same time explore and enhance its advantages.
“It is a proud moment for Kerala. With this award we could bring our Responsible Tourism model to the attention of the whole world. We have a lot more projects in the pipeline. This award will be a great encouragement in this regard,” said K Rupesh Kumar, State Coordinator of Responsible Tourism Mission, Kerala, to Tourism News Live.
“During the floods, the tourism sector faced widespread damages. However, with the combined efforts of the state and the people, we could bounce back to normalcy within record time,” he added.
“It is a great achievement to receive World Travel Market awards in consecutive years. I congratulate Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George and Rupesh Kumar, the Coordinator of the Mission and the entire team and of course the good-hearted industry who have adopted RT services,” said P Bala Kiran, Director, Department of Tourism in his congratulation note.
“The sincere and dedicated efforts of Kerala Tourism team over the years, including that of the industry, with special mention to Rupesh Kumar and RT Mission has made Kerala Tourism win the Gold award for RT at the International Travel and Tourism awards of WTM. It is a great acknowledgement for Kerala Tourism. Our responsibility towards the visitors and local community goes a step further with this award. The leadership of Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran strengthens the Kerala Tourism team to go further ahead,” said Rani George, Tourism Secretary.
It was only a few months back that Kumarakom, Kerala, has bagged the national award for the Best Responsible Tourism Project of India. Now, with the Gold award in World Travel Market, the Responsible Tourism model of Kerala has reiterated its position in the world tourism arena.