Known for its picturesque setting, washed by the Arabian Sea and the Chaliyar river, Beypore is famed for its ecological and cultural markers.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Firming up Kerala’s position as a global model of sustainable and inclusive tourism, Beypore in Kozhikode will be declared an international tourism destination at the Global Responsible Tourism Meet to be held on February 7 and 8.
The meet will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas at Malabar Marina Convention Centre at Cheruvannur near Feroke on Saturday (February 7) at 4 p.m. The conference, organised by the Tourism department and the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, will highlight a range of experiences that Beypore and adjoining areas offer tourists, including the region’s fascinating history and heritage shaped by cross-cultural encounters stretching back centuries.
“The declaration of Beypore as an international destination marks a major step forward in firmly positioning Kerala as a sustainable and inclusive tourism hub, which will considerably enhance the State’s appeal as an experiential tourism destination,” Mr. Riyas said. The project has also imparted further momentum to tourism in the Malabar region, as the government has initiated several schemes over the past four years to leverage the untapped potential of the area, the Minister added.
The meeting will discuss various topics, including sustainable and experiential tourism, heritage conservation, gender equity and women’s empowerment, barrier-free tourism, and heritage and conservation tourism, besides global issues such as the impact of climate change on tourism and ways to mitigate its consequences.
Once a global hub of maritime trade that linked the Malabar coast to West Asia and Europe, Beypore is now an integrated Responsible Tourism destination, registering heavy footfall in recent years. Known for its picturesque setting, washed by the Arabian Sea and the Chaliyar river, the region is famed for its ecological and cultural markers. The integrated tourism project encompasses Beypore beach and port, Kadalundi estuary, a bird sanctuary, and a string of sites and structures that bear the imprint of the region’s rich history.
A large number of Responsible Tourism (RT) units that have come up in the area in recent years have bolstered the local economy, generated jobs, and empowered women. As part of strengthening the RT movement, local stakeholders were imparted training in various aspects of guest relations; tour packages were drawn up and digital information kits, including e-brochures in multiple languages, were brought out, highlighting the unique features of sites and experiences in the region. The first RT club was also formed in Beypore.
The Beypore RT model has been endorsed by global experts, including Harold Goodwin, who visited the area to gain first-hand experience of how meticulously the system had been developed with active local participation, RT Mission Society chief executive officer K. Rupeshkumar said.
An exhibition of local products and artefacts from RT units, along with cultural programmes, will also be held as part of the meet.
Published – February 05, 2026 07:59 pm IST
