About the Event
Global Responsible Tourism Meet - Beypore, Kerala
The Global Responsible Tourism Meet, organised by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission under the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, is a celebration of Kerala's inspiring journey as a global leader in responsible tourism. Over the years, Kerala has redefined tourism by placing people, culture, and nature at the heart of destination development. Since its early adoption of responsible tourism principles, Kerala has emerged as a global pioneer in embedding sustainability into tourism governance, policy, and practice. The successful implementation of RT in destinations in Kerala demonstrated how tourism can strengthen local economies through linkages with agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, women's self-help groups, and micro-enterprises, while simultaneously safeguarding fragile ecosystems and social fabrics. Kerala's RT framework is widely recognised as a global model because of its strong institutional backing, decentralised implementation, convergence with local self-government, and measurable outcomes in livelihood generation, women's empowerment, and community resilience.
The Global Responsible Tourism Meet builds on this legacy by creating an international platform for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration, bringing together policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and innovators to deliberate on pressing themes such as climate change and tourism, gender-inclusive and women-led tourism initiatives, and responsible marketing for sustainable destinations. The event will provide a lively and engaging platform for knowledge exchange through carefully curated presentations, keynote addresses, and panel discussions featuring global experts. The sessions aim not only to highlight success stories but also to critically engage with on-ground realities, offering practical insights that can be adapted across different geographical and socio-cultural contexts. By fostering meaningful conversations and showcasing scalable models, the meet will strengthen global networks, encourage partnerships, and position Kerala as a hub for responsible tourism knowledge and innovation.
This landmark event will officially declare Beypore as a Global Responsible Tourism Destination, following the widely acclaimed success of Kumarakom. The declaration marks a significant milestone in Kerala’s responsible tourism journey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and inclusive development. Beypore represents a living cultural landscape where tourism, heritage, and livelihoods are intrinsically connected. Beypore showcases how traditional skills, coastal ecosystems, and local narratives can be thoughtfully integrated into tourism experiences, ensuring benefits flow directly to local communities. Declaring Beypore as a responsible tourism destination is not merely a ceremonial milestone but a statement of intent. It reflects Kerala’s vision of tourism, which honours local identity and creates meaningful tourism impacts.
Key theme : Responsible, Resilient & Inclusive Tourism for a Sustainable Future
Venue : Beypore, Kozhikode
Dates : 7, 8 February 2026
