Kerala for All conclave: Ecology should be the starting point of tourism plans, says Gaurav Raheja

Gaurav Raheja at the Kerala for All conclave advocates for ecology-driven, inclusive tourism that embraces diversity and accessibility.

Gaurav Raheja, Professor at the Department of Architecture & Planning, IIT Roorkee, has introduced a new concept, Building an Accessibility Conscious Kerala (BACK), to advance the State’s tourism sector.

He was speaking on Accessible and Inclusive Reflections (AIR): Global Best Practices for Tourism at the two-day Kerala For All tourism conclave, organised by Kerala Tourism in association with The Hindu, which commenced at Hotel Grand Hyatt on Saturday.

“ Tourism must be sustained as an inclusive plan, not as a separate plan,” Mr. Raheja said. He emphasised that nothing exists in isolation, even in tourism. While tourism may be a separate department or ministry, it intersects with all aspects of life, including hospitality, travel, mobility, urban infrastructure, information, and communication.

Mr. Raheja urged that the idea of tourism destinations should evolve into inclusive directions, since tourism is not just about destinations but about multiple possibilities. Giving a positive spin to AQI (Air Quality Index), he proposed initiating the assessment, monitoring, and enhancement of an Accessibility Quality Index for Indian cities.

“India may not yet be inclusive in terms of infrastructure, technology, and systemic frameworks, but there exists a culture of inclusivity — a willingness to embrace it,” Mr. Raheja observed. He stressed that ecology should be the starting point, followed by society and then the economy. However, he lamented that current discourse often begins with the economy, leaving ecology behind, and projects are considered only if they are economically sustainable.

Mr. Raheja cited global examples such as Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps, Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei, and the Black Forest in Germany to highlight inclusive and accessible tourism experiences. “I fully understand and am mindful that these may not be directly replicable in Kerala, but they can certainly inspire us. If we want to take Kerala forward, and India forward, on the road map of tourism and inclusion, such models can serve as triggers,” he said.