Thiruvananthapuram, March 4: The Human Resource Development branch of Kerala’s Tourism Department has initiated a comprehensive training program for tourism officials from Tamil Nadu. This program aims to enhance inter-state cooperation and focuses on Kerala’s sustainable and innovative tourism models, which have garnered acclaim both nationally and internationally.
The initiative seeks to empower, coordinate, and make the tourism sector in South India more competitive. Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas inaugurated the program online from the KITTS campus in Thiruvananthapuram. Sixty tourism information officers working at the state and district levels in Tamil Nadu will receive training under this program.
The training is organized in two phases. The first session commenced on Wednesday, while the second session is scheduled from March 10 to 12. Welcoming the participants, Minister Riyas emphasized the importance of knowledge and experience exchange to realize the immense potential of tourism in South India.
He stated that Kerala is committed to sharing its successful models and best practices to promote collective growth and benefit the entire region. A collaborative approach is essential for strengthening sustainable and responsible tourism.
Tourism Secretary K. Biju praised KITTS for its role in enhancing regional cooperation and building institutional capacity. The training course will emphasize Kerala’s globally recognized ‘Responsible Tourism’ (RT) initiatives, sustainable destination management, and effective branding and promotional strategies. These models aim to balance tourism development with environmental conservation and social responsibility.
Participants will also gain practical experience with policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms that have made Kerala a model for community-based and environmentally sensitive tourism development. Through expert sessions, case studies, and interactive discussions, officials will learn the nuances of effective ground-level implementation.
This initiative builds on discussions held in August 2025 when a KITTS delegation met with Tamil Nadu tourism department officials in Chennai to explore collaboration opportunities in skill development, human resource training, and tourist guide certification.
There are expectations for further expansion of this collaboration. It is proposed that Tamil Nadu district collectors will visit Kerala to study the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) model and the ‘Destination Challenge’ framework.
Officials have described this initiative as a significant step towards structured “tourism diplomacy,” aimed at developing a resilient, competitive, and sustainable tourism ecosystem in South India through shared expertise and institutional partnerships.
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