Kerala has bagged three World Responsible Tourism Awards 2018 for its Responsible Tourism (RT) initiatives and the Gold award at the maiden International Travel and Tourism awards presented as part of the three-day World Travel Market (WTM) in London.
Kerala Tourism bagged the award in ‘the Best in Responsible Tourism in the World’ category, in recognition of its endeavours in promoting eco-friendly and heritage preserving activities with the involvement of local communities.
Kumarakom, the backwater destination which has shot into fame due to the RT initiatives, fetched the Gold award in ‘Best for Managing Success’ category. Kumarakom shared the award with Barcelona.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who led a delegation to the WTM that concluded on Wednesday, and Secretary, Tourism, Rani George received the award on Wednesday.
In the Best for Local Benefit category, Coconut Lagoon, a resort at Kumarakom, bagged the Silver award for having consistently worked to create shared value for the local community, by creating opportunities for local people which go beyond employment and the sourcing of local produce.
The Silver award was shared with African Ivory Route.
In the Best for Wildlife category, Fringe Ford Wayanad, a former cardamom and coffee plantation stretching over 1,000 acres, 520 acres of which have now been afforested, bagged the Gold award for creating a border-less reserve of Malabar rainforest and creating a wildlife corridor.
The award was shared with World Animal Protection.
In the International Travel and Tourism Awards, Kerala also emerged the finalist in Best Regional/City Campaign for its campaign ‘Live Inspired.’ Other finalists included Canary island, Manchester, for visit Flanders, which won Gold at the ceremony held on Tuesday.
Mr. Surendran said the credit for the honour primarily went to the Responsible Tourism Mission for its persistent and systematic efforts in popularising the best practices. “They have also helped local communities in tourism destinations in the State,” he added.
14 categories
Kerala has 10,938 units under the Responsible Tourism Mission that has completed one year on October 20. Over 50,000 families enjoy the fruits of RT in the State. The awards, decided by a jury from among international competitors, were instituted in 14 categories.
