The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission (RTM) on November 3 won the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023 for promoting sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives. The state won the award instituted by the Responsible Tourism Partnership and International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) in the ‘Best for Local Sourcing – Craft and Food’ category.
London-based ICRT selected the Kerala RTM as a joint winner along with Eswatini, the erstwhile Swaziland, a landlocked country in southern Africa, renowned for eco-friendly Ngwenya Glass.
Kerala’s RTM was selected for the award for linking women-led small and medium-sized enterprises to tourism activities and ensuring effective marketing of indigenous products. The mission has been implementing women-friendly tourism projects in the state with the support of UN Women, the UN organisation dedicated to gender equality and women empowerment.
This is the second time Kerala RTM has bagged the Responsible Tourism Global Award, after its Water STREET project implemented in Maravanthuruthu in Kottayam district received the honour last year.
The Global Responsible Tourism Awards, which cater to Africa, India and Latin America regions, were given in six categories, including Best for Tackling Plastic Waste; Best for Meaningful Connections; Best for Local Sourcing – Craft and Food; Addressing Climate Change; Best for Diversity and Inclusion, and Best for Nature-Positive Tourism.
