Kerala a global model for inclusive tourism: KTM seminar

Kochi / September 27, 2024

Kochi, Sep. 27: With its wide range of resources, Kerala’s emphasis on equality makes the state a global model for inclusive tourism, an international business relations expert said at the country’s biggest travel conclave today.

Such an egalitarian culture will particularly boost the state at a time when new-generation tourists bear a progressive mindset and hosts need to cater to their social preferences, MissionRespo- Responsible Tourism Strategies founder Ms Rika Jean-Francois noted at the Kerala Travel Mart 2024 in the city.

“We see a general rise in the demand for the participation of local people while promoting tourism. Kerala has for long been moving in this direction with its emphasis on Responsible Tourism,” the German delegate told a seminar, which was moderated by Mr Jose Dominic of CGH Earth Experience.

Noting that winds of change are a feature of any sector, Ms Jean-Francois said the hospitality industry to tune into customer needs. “The way you have been doing it is an example for the rest of the world,” she reiterated at the session on ‘The Way Forward  for Kerala Tourism’.

Mr Joel John, who is CEO of destination wedding planner Rainmaker Events, said the monetary worth of the country’s marriage market stands at 130 million US dollars. “Kerala has a huge scope for hosting intimate weddings, yet the state has only 15 venues suited to conduct them despite having the largest number of five-star hotels in the country,” he noted.

As international wedding destinations are become fatter and bigger, Kerala must make good use of the trend, John said. “Wedding tourism is the future of Kerala’s tourism,” he added.

Mr Dominic, who is also the founder-president of KTM Society which is organizing the four-day mart ending on September 29, said that tourism has come to symbolize Kerala’s resilience. “Tourism is not only the sector that generates the most number of jobs in Kerala, its contribution to the state’s GDP is immense,” he pointed out at the introductory speech.

Mr Baby Mathew of the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group said tourists to the state merit service to the new kind of needs. “Tourism must aim to reflect not just the state’s nature, but its age-old culture. The ultimate result will be economic empowerment,” he pointed out.

KTM former president Mr Riaz Ahmed said “minimal pollution and maximum employment” has been a highlight of tourism.  However, the state’s land laws warrant modifications in changing times, opined the speaker, who is also the chairman of the KTM Seminar Committee. “Our public-private partnership is a model for the rest of the country.”

Other participants at the symposium, which also had a question-answer session with the audience, included KTM Society President Mr Jose Pradeep and Seminar Committee Vice-Chairperson Ms Nirmala Lilly.

From September 30, the Society will conduct a five-day post-mart tour across Kerala for select buyers who attended the event. As a run-up, KTM-2024 had organised a four-day pre-mart tour that concluded on Wednesday, involving mediapersons, vloggers and influencers.

ENDS