Kerala will
soon have another feather in its cap. The South Indian state is set to become the
country’s first fully women-friendly tourism destination.
“Kerala is
on course to be a fully women-friendly tourism destination by implementing a
comprehensive project to encourage the participation of women in all tourism
activities and attract more women tourists to the state which already enjoys
the reputation as the safest destination for women tourists,” Tourism Minister
P A Mohammed Riyas said.
He was
launching the state-level ‘Women-Friendly Tourism’ project, an initiative of
the State Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission).
“Through
this project, the RT Mission ensures safe and hygienic places and tourism
destinations for women tourists. All-women tour packages, controlled and
operated by women, including food, accommodation, transportation, and community
guides, will be rolled out,” he said.
However,
Riyas observed that the state needs a significant change at a time when the world
is witnessing a sharp increase in instances of women undertaking solo trips and
also in groups.
UN Women
will sign an MoU with RT Mission regarding the gender-inclusive tourism.
“Creating a safe, reliable, and hygienic infrastructure that addresses the needs
of women is vital for implementing the project,” said Kanta Singh, Deputy
Representative, UN Women, India.
State
Co-ordinator of RT Mission K Rupeshkumar, who unveiled the project, said RT
Mission has been implementing a series of schemes for women empowerment through
tourism. Currently, around 80 percent of RT Mission units are led by women.
Through the
project, the RT Mission aims to create a network of women’s units and tourism
centers manned by women. Also, it will be ensured that the tourism destinations
in the state are fulfilling the needs of women tourists.
As part of
taking the initiative to all districts, RT Mission will provide training to
selected women to work as tour coordinators, storytellers, community tour
leaders, auto/taxi drivers (guest handling), homestay operators, and in various
other sectors like souvenir creation. All basic infrastructure will be made
available for the project, which will have a monthly evaluation process, led by
the Tourism Minister.
