Firming up Kerala’s position as a global model of sustainable and inclusive tourism, Beypore in north Kerala will be declared an International Tourism Destination at the Global Responsible Tourism Meet, scheduled to be held on February 7 and 8.
The Meet will be inaugurated by P A Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism, on February 7 at 4 pm at the Malabar Marina Convention Centre, Cheruvannur, near Feroke.
M.K. Raghavan, MP, Kozhikode, and Snehil Kumar Singh, IAS, District Collector, Kozhikode, will be the chief guests at the inaugural function, while Shri Sadasivan O, Mayor of Kozhikode, will preside over the event. Sikha Surendran, Director of the Tourism Department, will deliver the welcome address.
Among those present will be S.K. Sajeesh, Chairman, KTIL; Girish Kumar D, Joint Director, Tourism Department; Pradeep Chandran, Deputy Director, Tourism Department; K. Rupeshkumar, CEO, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society; Nikhil Das, Secretary, DTPC Kozhikode; and Sreekala Lakshmi, District Coordinator, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society.
Elected representatives attending the function include Smt. Chandrika, Municipal Chairperson, Feroke; Shri Kallada Mohammedali, Municipal Chairman, Ramanattukara; Shri Bhakthavalsalan O, President, Kadalundi Panchayat; Shri Sandesh C, Chairman, Town Planning Standing Committee, Kozhikode Corporation; Shri Rajeevan K, Chairman, Health Standing Committee, Kozhikode Corporation; and Smt. Sheharban, Ward Councillor, Kozhikode Corporation.
The conference, organised by the State Tourism Department and the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, will showcase the diverse tourism experiences offered by Beypore and its surrounding areas, highlighting the region’s rich history and heritage shaped by centuries of cross-cultural exchanges.
Announcing the declaration, Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said that recognising Beypore as an International Tourism Destination marks a significant step in strengthening Kerala’s position as a sustainable and inclusive tourism hub, enhancing the State’s appeal as an experiential tourism destination.
He added that the initiative has provided renewed momentum to tourism in the Malabar region, with the government launching several schemes over the past four years to tap the area’s untapped tourism potential.
The Meet will feature presentations and deliberations by domain experts, industry stakeholders, elected representatives and tourism professionals on a wide range of themes. Topics include sustainable and experiential tourism, heritage conservation, gender equity and women empowerment, barrier-free tourism, climate change impacts on tourism and mitigation strategies.
Once a major maritime trading hub linking the Malabar Coast with West Asia and Europe, Beypore has evolved into an integrated Responsible Tourism destination, witnessing significant growth in visitor footfall in recent years.
Set along the Arabian Sea and the Chaliyar River, Beypore is known for its scenic beauty and ecological and cultural landmarks. The integrated tourism project covers Beypore Beach and Port, the Kadalundi Estuary and Bird Sanctuary, along with heritage sites reflecting the region’s maritime legacy.
The government earmarked ₹50 lakh for Phase One of the Beypore Tourism Project in 2024–25, which was completed within the stipulated timeframe. An additional ₹100 lakh was sanctioned for works in 2025–26.
The growth of Responsible Tourism (RT) units in the area has strengthened the local economy, generated employment and empowered women, particularly over the past four years. As part of capacity building, local stakeholders were trained in guest relations, curated tour packages were developed, and multilingual digital information kits and e-brochures were launched. The first RT Club was also formed in Beypore.
The Beypore RT model has received international recognition, with global experts including Dr. Harold Goodwin visiting the destination to study its community-driven tourism framework, said K. Rupeshkumar, CEO of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society.
Beypore has also attracted prominent travel writers and vloggers from India and abroad, who have highlighted the destination as a must-visit location.
The Beypore Tourism Project has won several national and global awards, including the ICRT Gold Award for community employment and skill development. The Kadalundi Panchayat, part of the project area, has also received the India Tourism Award for economic and social empowerment of the local community.
Members of women-friendly networks, RT club members, storytellers, community tour guides and other stakeholders will participate in discussions on enhancing visitor experiences and ensuring tourist safety. The Meet will also feature exhibitions of local products and artefacts from RT units, along with cultural programmes.
