Global women conference on gender inclusive and responsible tourism to begin on Nov. 30

Giving a momentum to Kerala’s major strides in adoption of gender-inclusive and women-friendly tourism practices, a three-day Global Women Conference on Gender Inclusive and Responsible Tourism is all set to begin at the picturesque hill station of Munnar on November 30. The conference, being organised by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society (KRTMS) on behalf of Kerala Tourism and UN Women, will deliberate on the current scenario of participation and representation of women in the tourism sector and chart out a roadmap to take the initiative forward.

Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the event at The Grand Cliff Resort. The Minister will also release the Gender Audit Report. The highlight of the event will be the ‘Kerala Declaration on Gender Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism’. Rupeshkumar K, CEO, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, will share his thoughts and experiences on the topic ‘Kerala Model Responsible Tourism and Women-Friendly Tourism’.

An important objective of the conference is to showcase Kerala’s achievements in women-friendly and sustainable tourism activities through its globally acclaimed Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, emphasising community participation and environmental sustainability. An array of global experts, stakeholders, and policymakers will share their insights on the issues that are vital for promoting gender equality and women-friendly tourism practices.

There will be panel discussions on themes such as gender-inclusive tourism and responsible tourism; safe and inclusive tourism; women entrepreneurship in tourism; safety, inclusivity, and global trends; challenges and future of women-friendly tourism; empowering local communities; women in tourism-models around the world; sustainable practices in tourism; Kerala tourism industry’s effort for women; and empowerment in action: inspiring journeys of shepreneurs in tourism.

Peeja Rajan, State Coordinator, Kerala, UN Women, will make a presentation on the Gender Audit while Mr. Rupeshkumar will present his views on ‘Draft Classification: Women-Friendly Accommodation Units’.

In addition to the main sessions, a three-day exhibition and a B2B networking session will also be organized to create opportunities for collaborations besides fostering a dynamic environment for partnership-building and exchanging innovative ideas among participants. Women entrepreneurs and grassroots heroines in the tourism sector will also be celebrated and honoured at the conference.

Published - November 27, 2024 09:14 pm IST