Rupesh Kumar K
State Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinator, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala
Responsible Tourism Mission has been formed as the nodal agency for rural tourism, rural homestays, farm tourism, sustainable tourism and other community and women empowerment activities through tourism in Kerala based on the concepts of Responsible Tourism and lead the various forms of tourism activities comes under rural development and community development.
Responsible Tourism (RT) is an alternate tourism approach came up during late 60’s/Early 70’s environmental concerns of mass tourism mainly conceived with three kinds of responsibilities which are termed as the ‘triple bottom-line’ economic responsibility, social responsibility and environmental responsibility. But a unified definition for "Responsible Tourism" was declared in Cape Town in 2002 alongside the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Responsible Tourism is about “making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.” RT encompasses all forms of tourism and seeks to minimize negative economic, environment and social impacts. It generates greater economic benefits to local people and enhances the wellbeing of local communities. Responsible Tourism concept is based three responsibilities, Economic Responsibility, Socio-Cultural Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility whish are known as Triple Bottom Line approach.
Rupeshkumar has played an eminent role to develop Kerala as one of the leading Responsible Tourism Destinations in the world. He was an active participant in the mass movements against the unscientific and unethical development of Tourism in Kerala, especially in Kumarakom. He was also a part of the mass activities that demanded alternative tourism activities in Kumarakom becoming part of the Kerala Responsible Tourism movement from 2007.
Rupesh has since worked as State Responsible Tourism Project Coordinator, Destination Coordinator of Responsible Tourism, State Level Responsible Tourism Field Coordinator, Saparya Tourism Project Coordinator, Alapuzha Backwater tourism master plan Field Coordinator, Kumbalangi and Alapuzha UNDP marketing plan coordinator., and as the Kudumbashree Consultant and Resource person (Women Empowerment project by Govt: Of Kerala), People’s Planning campaign Resource Person, and member of the monitoring committee of National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme & National cleanliness mission. Rupesh is currently the State Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinator of Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission.
Rupesh developed a new tour package model Village Life Experience as part of Kerala Responsible Tourism which converts traditional livelihood activities as Tourism products. These packages have been recognized by the Govt. of India, as the best Rural Tourism Initiative. Drawing on this experience he developed PEPPER (People’s Participation for Participatory Tourism Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism), STREET(SUSTAINABLE TANGIBLE RESPONSIBLE EXPERIENTIAL ETHNIC TOURISM HUBS) and Model RT Villages etc. All of them created a huge field level result and was awarded by various national and international agencies. Based on his selfless and seamless efforts Kerala RT Mission became a model by generating revenue for 1.5 Lakh families in the state. Mr Rupeshkumar is one of the 5 individuals to receive the outstanding achievement award and is the first Indian selected as the jury member for WTM RT awards. He also received the guiding light award for ensuring women empowerment through responsible tourism activities. He is the state nodal officer of Kerala of Rural Tourism, rural homestays and sustainable Tourism. He is an example on how a grassroot level warrior can become a global leader in tourism sector through the sincere efforts dedicated towards the communities.
2008-9 Kumarakom was awarded a national award for the Best Responsible Tourism Initiative in India by Govt. of India while he was the Destination Coordinator of Kumarakom RT project and the PATA Gold & Grand award. Responsible Tourism activities under the leadership of K.Rupeshkumar has also achieved UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovations in Public Policy and Governance, PATA Gold & Grand awards, PATA CEO Challenge Award, WTM Highly commended award, and other 6 National awards. Kerala RT Mission won the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards. Under his leadership, RT Mission has bagged 18 International and National awards which are listed below:
1. World Travel Mart Responsible Tourism Awards-2017
Category: WTM Highly Commended Award
Recipient: Kumarakom Responsible Tourism Project, RT Mission
2. World Travel Mart Awards-2018
Category: Best in Responsible Tourism
Recipient: Kerala Tourism, Responsible Tourism Mission
3. World Travel Mart Awards-2018
Category: Best for Managing Success category Gold Award
Recipient: Kumarakom Responsible Tourism Project, RT Mission
4. PATA Awards 2019
Category: Women Empowerment in Tourism Sector- Gold Award for
Recipient: Responsible Tourism Women Empowerment Activities at Kumarakom
5. World Travel Mart Responsible Tourism Awards-2020
Category: Meaningful Connections – Highly commended
Recipient: Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala
6. World Travel Mart Responsible Tourism Awards-2021
Category: Increasing Diversity in Tourism- One to Watch
Recipient: Aymanam- Model RT Village-Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala
7. Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award 2022
Recipient: Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala
8. Aymanam Model RT Village is listed as one of the must watch destination in 2022.
9. Gold Awards by ICRT International on September 2022 for Destination Building Back Better- Post Covid
10. Gold Awards by ICRT International on September 2022 for Increasing Diversity in Tourism
11. Gold Awards by ICRT International on September 2022 for Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment
12 Gold Awards by ICRT International on September 2022 for .Conserving Water and improving water scarcity & supply for neighbors)
13. Global award from WTM London for WATER STREET PROJECT
And 5 other national awards as well.
