| Kerala Responsible Tourism |
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| Responsible Tourism means protecting and respecting travel destinations around the world by following some simple and cost-effective tips |
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| The below three commitments are easy to do And they help protect World Heritage sites : |
- Discover the natural and cultural beauty that makes World Heritage sites so unique before you leave on your trip
- Share your commitment to World Heritage sites by asking hotels and tour operators about their sustainable tourism practices
- Preserve the natural and cultural value of World Heritage sites by reducing your environmental impact and respecting local customs
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| Responsible Tourism Code : |
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| Learn about the country and its culture. |
remember that each State in India is unique
dress and behave respectfully especially in villages, religious and cultural areas
learn key words in the local language
respect the dignity and privacy of others – ask before taking photos
visit the visitor centre on arrival for local information
Do an in-depth research on the customs and practices of Kerala before you plan your visit
Appreciate the culture of the land and its tradition
Be polite to the native people and appreciate their habits
Learn a few basic words of greetings and polite phrases in the native language before your visit
Respect the diverse religious and social customs of Kerala
Observe the local laws and codes of the land.
Try to actively involve yourself in the cultural and environmental concerns of Kerala and cooperate accordingly
Avoid trying to purchase or own things which are not legally permissible or might be protected
Do not force entry into prohibited or restricted areas that will disrupt the ecology or the cultural sentiments of the land
Conserve energy by minimising the use of fans, lights, geysers etc. whenever not required
Avoid overuse, wastage and pollution of water, contributing to the global conservation of water resources
Avoid littering public places and ensure that waste is disposed only in bins earmarked for the purpose |
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| Minimise environmental impact |
dispose of rubbish carefully, recycle where possible, reuse your drink bottles and shopping bags
minimise water and energy use
choose environmentally responsible tour operators |
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| Protect the Coral |
do not buy products made from coral, endangered plants or animals
do not stand on, touch or remove any items from the reef, including coral |
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| Support local initiatives |
purchase local products, arts and crafts.
eat local rather than imported food
support local tour operators and stay in locally owned accommodation
if you want to gift money, support community projects rather than individuals |
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| Pay a Fair Price |
bargaining for goods may not be appropriate behaviour
if the price is negotiable, pay a price that is fair for the seller and maker |
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| Think about your impact. |
remember you are a guest – always behave respectfully
practise safe and responsible sex
make your trip a positive experience for both you and the people in the country you visit |
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| BEING A RESPONSIBLE TOURIST : |
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| Tourists can make a big difference by only supporting the type of tourism that is not harmful to the environment and is supportive of local communities working to gain or maintain sustainable livelihoods. |
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| THE KERALA DECLARATION ON RESPONSIBLE TOURISM |
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| The Incredible India 2 nd International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations organized by Kerala Tourism and the ICRT India. The 2 nd International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was attended by 503 delegates from 29 countries. The delegates came with a broad range of experience and expertise from diverse cultures, environments and backgrounds. There were delegates from international organisations, national and local government, local communities, airlines, hoteliers, tour operators, service providers, protected areas, NGOs, academia, architects and planners, the media and consultants.
We came with a wide range of experiences from different environments, cultures and tourism contexts and we have shared and discussed our different experiences and approaches over four days.
We recognise the commitments made by policymakers in Kerala who have committed to Responsible Tourism and pledged to take forward the concept of Responsible Tourism into practice, focussing on local economy, well being, local culture and environment. One of the purposes of responsible tourism is that the benefits of tourism are equitably accessed and distributed.
Recognising that it takes time to achieve change through multi-stakeholder partnerships, particularly if local communities are to be empowered to participate in the process; and that due credit should be given for effort and progress.
We encourage all stakeholders to share our vision for Responsible Tourism, to recognise that the journey is worthwhile and that it is possible to consistently create a better approach to tourism where together, local communities, tourism enterprises, destinations, tourists, and governments can all benefit. |
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