The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has said Kerala's award-winning "Responsible Tourism" initiative is a model for other tourist destinations to replicate.
According to the Kerala Tourism Department, UNWTO has commended the work done by the state and is impressed by its model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
UNWTO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Xu Jing, congratulated Kerala for its success.
"The projects can be included as part of UNWTO's global programmes and the report can be a case study for other destinations. We are eager to strengthen our relationship and discuss matters of common interest," Jing was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the state Tourism Department.
The UNWTO also invited Kerala Tourism to make a presentation at the Joint Commission Meeting to be held in Bangladesh in May and also at the UNWTO's International Conference on Tourism Statistics to be held in Manila from June 21 to 24.
Kerala Tourism Director, U.V. Jose, presented the report on the Responsible Tourism campaigns at the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid.
The report included details of Responsible Tourism policies and practices implemented in the state and the campaign's success.
It said the initiative has empowered local communities economically through activities that prioritize cultural and ecological conservation.