The Evening with networking event at the Vintry provided an opportunity to discuss the Kerala Declaration. Krippendorf’s major contribution was to recognise that it was by appealing to people’s sense of responsibility that positive change would be achieved rather than by emancipation. Rebellious tourists and rebellious locals do make a difference and in an age when government is reluctant to regulate encouraging tourists, originating market tour operators and local communities and the inbound industry to act (to rebel) becomes the main strategy for achieving change.
Kerala brought together 503 delegates from 29 countries to share experience of implementing the principle of the Cape Town Declaration and to review progress. There was a lot of energy in the conference and in the events and activities which Kerala Tourism had organised to create opportunities for learning, engagement and debate.
The Kerala Declaration was debated line by line on the floor of the conference – there were 300 still actively participating as the declaration was signed 6 hours later. There was lots of energy, engagement and enthusiasm focussed on sharing experience about making change with sections in issues and strategies like empowerment, social and economic development, the role of the media, governance, campaigning ….. lots of good ideas and some principles.
We avoided the trap of redefining the generic
characteristics of responsible tourism in destinations, reasserting the Cape Town
Declaration recognising that the specifics will reflect differences
of culture, history and geography – the world is a diverse and interesting
place. The strategies and detail in Kerala, The Gambia and
We saw the progress being made in Kerala, particularly in
local economic development, and the activity in local and state government, in
local communities and in the industry well – in
