State's most experienced RT activist has been invited to the world's premier tourism event.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what is seen as the first major global recognition of the state’s leadership role in Responsible Tourism, the state’s most experienced RT activist has been invited to the world’s premier tourism event, World Travel Market in London, to evolve RT strategies for the developing world. State Responsible Tourism field officer Rupesh Kumar, who was part of the movement right from its inception in 2006, will lead three sessions on RT at the three-day WTM, which begins on November 7.
WTM-London is the leading global event for the travel industry. Mr Rupesh has been invited mainly to share his experiences on how RT can be leveraged to enhance the tourist experience. “It will be for the first time Kerala gets the chance to showcase its sui generis RT model on a global platform,” a top tourism official said. Here is what the WTN invite to Mr Kumar says: “WTM is launching a new feature of WTM London, showcasing some of the ways in which tourists can engage positively with local communities purchasing local goods and services, contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural resources and valuing their community.”
Mr Kumar is asked to lead this session with Professor Harold Goodwin (the pioneer of RT movement in the world and also the WTM Responsible Tourism Adviser) and “to contribute to the guidelines which will be produced based on the three sessions you are participating in.” The Union tourism secretary Mr Vinod Zutshi and state tourism principal secretary Dr V. Venu would be speaking at one of the three sessions. Mr Kumar, who has authored a book on the RT experience in the state, has been asked to lead two other sessions related to RT at the WTM. At a specific level, Mr Kumar’s inputs will be used to structure RT in South Africa. "We want to explore whether there are any differences between India and Africa in best practices in enhancing host guest relationships," the invite said.
