Overview
With this accomplishment, Kerala and Maharashtra are now the only two Indian states recognized by the UNTO for exhibiting outstanding projects: Kerala’s RT Mission and Maharashtra’s Adobe-Harridan Tiger Reserve. This places them on par with the other seven G20 countries (Canada, Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Mauritius, Brazil, Italy, and Mauritius).
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recognized Kerala’s well-known Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission with an esteemed spot on its list of case studies, earning it praise from throughout the globe.
This acknowledgement highlights Kerala’s creative approach to community development and links tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals (Sags) of the United Nations.
The UNTO expressed gratitude to Kerala Tourism for the state’s support of the Sags and for the way it has upgraded and improved responsible tourism destinations using local resources.
With this accomplishment, Kerala and Maharashtra are now the only two Indian states recognized by the UNTO for exhibiting outstanding projects: Kerala’s RT Mission and Maharashtra’s Adobe-Harridan Tiger Reserve. This places them on par with the other seven G20 countries (Canada, Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Mauritius, Brazil, Italy, and Mauritius).
In light of this, Kerala’s Minister of Tourism P A Mohamed Rivas praised the state for its efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable travel, highlighting the attention these efforts have drawn from around the world. The Newton’s certification is evidence of Kerala’s commitment to internationally recognized sustainable tourism principles.
K. Bijou, secretary of the Department of Tourism, expressed hope that the state would be motivated to grow the responsible tourism model and support local businesses by receiving this worldwide honor. Director of Tourism for Kerala, PB Ooh, emphasized the UNTO Citation as a noteworthy achievement in the wake of Kerala hosting the world’s first Responsible Tourism Global Summit in February.
The Kerala RT Mission won the Global Award in the “Best for Local Sourcing – Craft and Food” category concurrently with this distinction on a global scale. Kerala’s sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives have been recognized with an award from the Responsible Tourism Partnership and International Center for Responsible Tourism.
According to K. Rupee markup, the State Coordinator of the Kerala RT Mission, these accolades are a testament to the mission’s unwavering pursuit of both tourism and general socioeconomic development.
Kerala’s steadfast position on the global tourism map is reinforced by the UNTO Citation and the Global Award, which further highlight the state’s dedication to ethical and sustainable tourism practices.