Potential of women-centric tourism remains under-utilized: Global Women Conference
Idukki, Dec. 01:
Kerala has a “perfect ecosystem” to tap into the economic opportunities created by women tourists and female entrepreneurs in the travel industry, a pioneering three-day international conclave noted today.
As the number of women tourists is increasing rapidly across the world, Kerala holds “great potential” to utilise this opportunity amid the state’s progressive stance on gender justice, experts noted at the ‘Global Women Conference on Gender Inclusive and Responsible Tourism’ in Mangulam near Munnar hill-station.
Exploring its scope will enable Kerala to become a destination of international repute on social equality as well, the speakers remarked at the event being organised by organised by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society (KRTMS) on behalf of Kerala Tourism and UN Women.
Dr Aunkrisa Sangchumnong of Suan Dusit University pointed out that women in Thailand have played a major role in the advancement of their South-east Asian nation on the world tourism map in the last three decades. Women represent nearly half of Thailand’s tourism sector, she pointed out,adding that they contribute half of the country’s income from the tourism sector.
Hyojeong Kim, founder of NomadHer which is a South Korean app for female solo travellers, pointed out that women entrepreneurs in tourism should utilize the advanced technologies that have been growing day by day. “There are many things a solo traveller can enjoy in a place such as Kerala,” she said,highlighting the government’s “responsibility” to provide the infrastructure.
Leading gender specialist Charmerie Maelge of Sri Lanka pointed out that tourism has the capacity to increase the confidence of women and break several social norms.
State Planning Commission Board member Mini Sukumar said the interest of the elderly people in tourism has of late been rising rapidly. “We should make arrangements to provide them facilities at destinations,” she pointed out, pointing out that a chunk of those opting for budget tours run by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporationswere women and senior citizens who had been working earlier.
The Global Women Conference also honoured 18 top women performers and leaders of the Kerala responsible tourism network. They were panchayat presidents Dhanya Sabu (Kumarakom), Anusha V (Kadalundi), V.V. Asha (Perumbalam), KRTMS workers Sathi Muraleedharan, Ajitha Suresh, Ambili M Soman, Suhaira K, Vidhya M.V., Sree Vidya, Aleemath Sahathia, Sreedevi P Namboothirippadu, P.B. Bidula, Saritha V.R., Indira M.G., Ramya Mohan, Fausiya Ashraf and Yasmin N.K.
Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said the conference has enabled delegates to realise the vitality of women-centric tourism, which is of both social importance while providing economic opportunities as well. “Already, the state has made an announcement to make the tourism sector women-friendly to its core,” she recalled. “We will be codifying the various proposals of the conference so as to chart the future steps.”
At a session on ‘Empowering Local Communities’, presentations were given by Punjab Tourism Director Smt Amrit Singh, Leh Tourism Assistant Director Mrs Padma Angmo, Romanian travel writer Catalina Powell (founder of Hai in India, Romania), Community Homestay Network, Nepal CEO Aayusha Prasain, Ekotel Hospitalities MD M.R. Narayanan, Kerala Varma College (Thrissur) Asst. Professor (Commerce) Minu M Gopal and Agronature Director May Jacob.
The conference, which was inaugurated yesterday by Kerala Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas, features keynote sessions, panel discussions, a B2B Meet and networking sessions. The mission, overall, is to create opportunities for collaborations besides fostering a dynamic environment for partnership-building and exchanging innovative ideas in Gender Inclusive and Responsible Tourism.
Kerala’s RT initiatives have,since the society’s inception in 2008, evolved into a massive grassroots network with 25,188 registered units.Of these, 17,632 are owned or led by women. More than 52,000 people directly and 98,432 indirectly have benefited from its activities, mostly in rural areas. The RT projects also promote art, craft, and traditional livelihoods, and have won numerous national and international honours.