Kerala Tourism wins the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism for creating innovative initiatives for Sustainable Tourism, the first time India has ever won the recognition. The state was honoured with the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance for its sustainable development initiative in the backwater resort of Kumarakom. UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation was given in Public Policy and Governance, Enterprises and NGOs, and Research and Technology categories. The Award is the highest honor given to government bodies for shaping global tourism policies through innovative initiatives. Kerala Tourism was chosen for the honor for its 'Responsible Tourism' project in Kumarakom, which has successfully linked the local community with the hospitality industry and government departments, thereby creating a model for empowerment and development of the people in the area while sustaining Eco-friendly tourism.
The Kumarakom initiative had earlier won the National Award for Best Rural Tourism Project in March last year and also the PATA Grand Award for Environment. Last year, the Ministry of Tourism of Malaysia had won the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance for its Homestay Experience Programme.
