Latest news with #KeralaResponsibleTourism
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Kerala's agri tourism lifts fortunes of villages
KOCHI: Travelling along the Vagamon-Upputhara Road in Idukki, one would get to see many tourist vehicles turning onto a byroad that seems to be a kind of run-down muddy road leading to a quarry. But why would these tourists go to a quarry? Well, this former quarry has now been turned into an agri-tourism spot by the enterprising owner. And if one is to count the people thronging the spot, it can be seen that the farm is doing quite well. KPM Farm has gained fame for its fish farm that has Japanese Koi, Tilapia, and Gold fish being reared in the huge reservoir created due to quarrying. If KPM Farm has turned a former quarry into an agri-tourism spot, Kabeer T's Kathir Biodiversity Park at Pookkottumpadam in Nilambur, has brought a big change by turning five barren acres into a thriving farming oasis. His farm is a harmonious blend of flora and fauna. Another thriving example of agri-tourism is the Farm Pathayapura at Karakode in Kasaragod's Madikkai panchayat. These are just a few examples from the over 400 units that have been started in the state under the Responsible Tourism Mission. According to Rupesh Kumar K, State Coordinator of Kerala Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission, under the Agri Tourism initiative, 983 persons have been trained and of the 454 units that were started under the Kerala Agri Tourism Network, 103 are working well.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala's gender-inclusive tourism policy to support new entrants to sector: Tourism Minister
The Kerala government will go ahead with its action plan to support newcomers, especially women, to the tourism sector, aligning with the vision of inclusive and sustainable development of tourism, Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas has said. The Minister was delivering the inaugural address at the State-level consultation workshop organised to bring out Gender Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism Policy as part of the women-friendly tourism initiative in the State. The workshop was organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Kerala Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Society and UN Women India. Major objectives The two major objectives of the gender-inclusive project that took off in 2022 were to create women-friendly tourism centres and a network of women enterprises in the sector, the Minister said. 'It is vital to extent support to the new comers to the tourism sector, especially women, to ensure that they flourish in the completive ecosystem,' Mr. Riyas said. 'Initially, around 17,631 women had joined the project with diverse enterprises and services. These included exclusive women tour units, homestays, souvenir units and services such as community tour leaders and tour operators. After imparting training to them, tourism activities are being conducted in a coordinated manner,' he said. Gender audit Lauded by the UN Women India, which also extended technical support in areas like destination safety, gender audit and training programmes, Kerala was the first State to conduct a gender audit in the country. This has been completed in six tourism centres and will be held in another 14 this financial year. Also, safety audit had been completed in 68 tourism spots and activities were in full swing to implement women-friendly initiatives there, the Minister said. In her keynote address, Kanta Singh, Country Representative, UN Women India, said Kerala had been showing the way for the country in many things and it was a privilege to partner with the State government and the RT project to do more for women in the tourism sector. Women's participation In his presentation of framework for Gender Responsive Tourism Policy, K. Rupeshkumar, chief executive officer, Kerala RT Mission Society, said the upcoming policy would lay down guidelines for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender-inclusive practices. 'The major objectives of the policy include fostering women's participation in tourism industry, ensuring safety and security and women's empowerment,' he said. It will also address issues such as workplace practices, ensure safe work environments for employees, and development of inclusive and accessible infrastructure and services in destinations. Mr. Rupeshkumar also added that an action plan on the implementation of each component of the policy would be worked out as a backup for the policy. The Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy will include stakeholders like tourism entrepreneurs, tour operators, hotels, local communities, and tourists from diverse background, especially women.
