Tourism News
Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas inaugurates the state-level consultation workshop on the theme “Gender-Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism Policy
Smt. Sikha Surendran speaks on the state’s efforts to build a safer, more inclusive tourism sector for women
Kerala Advances Gender-Inclusive Tourism Policy to Empower Women and New Entrants
Kerala is moving ahead with bold new measures to make its tourism sector more accessible and supportive for women and first-time entrepreneurs. Announcing these steps at a state-level workshop on gender-inclusive tourism, Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, said the government is focused on giving women and new entrants a strong foothold in the industry.
The workshop, organised by Kerala Tourism with the Responsible Tourism Mission and UN Women India, brought together key voices from across the sector. The Minister noted that the initiative, launched in 2022, has already attracted over 17,600 women into the industry. Their businesses now include women-led tour units, homestays, souvenir shops, and local tour leaders. Many have received training, and the government is backing their efforts through subsidies and coordinated projects.
Kerala’s approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. UN Women India, which has provided technical support in safety, gender audits, and training, has praised the state’s leadership. Kerala is the first state in India to conduct a gender audit of tourism centres, completing audits at six locations and planning more this year. Safety audits have also taken place at 68 spots, with more women-friendly features rolling out soon.
The Minister said these changes are already making a difference, Kerala’s tourist numbers have bounced back strongly post-pandemic, even outpacing national trends for foreign visitors. Smt. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism, said the state’s women-friendly tourism efforts are now a global model, bringing real benefits to local communities and helping to keep Kerala at the top of travellers’ wish lists.
During the event, Shri. Rupeshkumar K., CEO of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, outlined what’s coming next. The new policy aims to boost women’s participation, ensure safe and supportive workplaces, and build more accessible infrastructure. “The goal is to make tourism work for everyone, especially women, by focusing on safety, empowerment, and inclusivity,” he said.
Panelists from UN Women India, the Kerala State Planning Board, Kerala Travel Mart Society, and industry leaders all echoed the sentiment that Kerala is setting an example for the rest of the country. As more women join the sector, the state is confident that its gender-inclusive policies will help tourism grow in new and sustainable ways.
