Sat Jan 31 07:09:01 UTC 2026: # Kerala Tourism Prioritizes Inclusivity at “Kerala for All” Conclave

The Story:
Kerala is taking significant steps to make its tourism sector more inclusive and accessible. The “Kerala for All” conclave, a two-day event in Kochi that commenced on January 31, 2026, aims to shape Kerala’s approach to inclusive tourism. Convened by Kerala Tourism in partnership with The Hindu Group, the conclave brings together policymakers, industry leaders, accessibility experts, and community representatives to discuss and implement global best practices regarding accessibility, gender inclusion, digital enablement, infrastructure design, and hospitality readiness. The discussions emphasize the importance of inclusive tourism for all, including LGBTQ+ individuals, Dalits, Muslims, Hindus, persons with disabilities, and acid attack survivors.

Key Points:

  • The “Kerala for All” conclave is a two-day event held in Kochi on January 31, 2026.
  • The conclave focuses on themes such as accessibility, gender inclusion, digital enablement, infrastructure design, mobility planning, and hospitality readiness.
  • Keynote speakers include P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Kerala’s Minister for Tourism, and Suresh Nambath, Editor of The Hindu.
  • Participants include ministers, government officials, experts, UN representatives, urban planners, architects, hospitality leaders, NGOs, and community voices.
  • Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, emphasized that “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) must include everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kerala is proactively addressing the need for inclusive tourism, moving beyond responsible tourism towards a system accessible to all.
  • The conclave represents a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government, industry, experts, and community members.
  • The focus extends beyond physical accessibility to include social inclusion and digital enablement.
  • The event signals a commitment to translating global best practices into actionable strategies for Kerala’s tourism sector.
  • The timing suggests an increased focus on rebuilding and redefining the tourism sector following potentially disruptive global events (although unspecified in the provided context).

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