Munnar to host first-ever global meet to boost women-friendly tourism

To encourage women in Kerala's tourism economy, an international conference on women-friendly and gender-inclusive tourism will be held at Munnar from November 30 to December 2.

The four-day Global Women Conference on Responsible and Gender Inclusive Tourism
planned by Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society aligns with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's  ‘gender inclusive tourism’ policy. Kerala’s experience experience in female-friendly tourism will be showcased at the event.

“Kerala is the first State to implement women-friendly tourism projects to ensure gender
inclusiveness, women empowerment and safety. This is one of the most innovative concepts
presented in the tourism sector,” said Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

“The trend of women travelling alone and in groups has increased significantly, and our
initiative encourages this. The project also enables women to participate in the tourism
economy through various tourism-related enterprises like homestays, restaurants, and women's tour packages. Women empowerment through tourism is the essence of this project,”
said the minister.

Support f from UN Women-India

With the technical support of UN Women-India, RT Mission has implemented women-
friendly projects in selected destinations. The UN agency supports destination safety studies,
gender audits, and workshops.

“As part of experiential and sustainable tourism, we have created stay packages, arty villages
and streets, etc. Our women-friendly tourism initiative is another success story,” said
K. Biju, secretary of Tourism Department. “The project also aims to ensure that our tourist destinations are safe and hygienic for female travellers,” he added.

The conference will highlight gender-inclusive tourism’s relevance globally and
accommodate innovative ideas. It will also coordinate and network organisations and
institutions that promote women-friendly tourism projects.

“RT Mission has been working on women-friendly tourist destinations. The projects aim to
attract and increase women's participation and representation in the tourism sector,” said
Tourism Director Sikha Surendran. “The initiative will increase the confidence of
women holidaymakers and thus the tourist flow into Kerala.” 

18,000 women-friendly tourism projects 

The RT Mission Society has compiled a list of 18,000 women-friendly tourism projects, of which
70% are led or owned by women entrepreneurs.

“We are working on integrating all women-led enterprises under an umbrella. They can be
community tour leaders, tour operators, drivers, and promoters of homestays and
restaurants,” RT Mission CEO Rupeshkumar. K said.

Kerala is the first State in the country to conduct a gender audit, enabling women from rural
areas to participate in the tourism economy. Gender audits are underway in six centres and
will be extended to ten more this financial year. Safety audits have been completed in 68
centres, he noted.

Kerala Tourism launched its Women Friendly Tourism Project on October 26, 2022, to
promote women's participation and empowerment and encourage more women tourists to
visit the State. The project also aims to alleviate poverty and uplift marginalised communities. Many units exclusive women's tours and promote women-led homestays and restaurants.