Union Minister of State for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi will inaugurate a three-day international conference Thursday at Kumarakom lake resort, the popular holiday destination, to review the state's progress in implementing Responsible Tourism (RT).
Initiated in the 1990s, RT is widely accepted as an effective tool for ensuring sustainable development in tourism.
Around 150 delegates will take part in the conference including from countries that are in the forefront of RT implementation, such as Gambia in west Africa, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
"This conference is an opportunity to look at what has been achieved in Kerala in implementing RT and to see the challenges that need to be addressed in the next five years," said State Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar.
Sessions at the conference will highlight experiences, case studies and challenges in RT.