Global Women’s Conference at Grand Cliff Resort, Munnar: Inclusive, responsible tourism, next-gen style

The usually zen, gorgeous setting of Kerala's Grand Cliff Resort in Munnar transformed into a high-energy hotspot of dialogue and collabs during the first week of December. The occasion? The inaugural Global Women's Conference (GWC), a landmark event organised by Kerala Tourism in partnership with UN Women. This pioneering conference brought together diverse travel stakeholders worldwide to share their stories, experiences, and aspirations for inclusive and responsible tourism. It also served as a proud platform for Kerala to highlight its achievements in sustainable tourism initiatives. The event was inaugurated by Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas, marking a milestone for gender-focused tourism efforts.  

A diverse range of delegates  
A remarkable group of women, including travel influencers, entrepreneurs, tour operators, guides, tech founders, writers, and gender specialists attended the three-day conference at Grand Cliff Resort. The GWC was transformative for Reshma NM, of Origin Tours, Chennai. She shared: "Tourism was merely a business sector to me. However, after attending the GWC, I understood how it can be conducted responsibly — without disrupting nature and involving local communities."  

Similarly, Maria Rosaria Pedemonte, founder of the Gender Responsible Tourism Association, emphasised the event's uniqueness. "It's rare to find a conference focused on women's involvement. My biggest takeaway was witnessing women play pivotal roles at the grassroots and leadership levels in Kerala's tourism sector." The event also featured distinguished figures such as Dr Harold Goodwin, chairman of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism; Rupeshkumar K, CEO of Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society; Sikha Surendran IAS, Kerala Government Tourism director; and Poulomi Pai, UN Women Programme specialist.  

Engaging discussions, personal narratives  
From its opening day, the conference tackled critical themes such as The Kerala Model of Responsible Tourism, Gender-Inclusive Tourism, Safe and Inclusive Tourism, Global Models of Women in Tourism, and Challenges in Women-Friendly Tourism. Speakers also shared personal journeys of overcoming barriers to thrive in the travel industry.  

Shyni, a Thiruvananthapuram native and founder of Kerala's first women's bullet club, recalled: "Even my parents once doubted me, asking, 'But aren't you a woman? Can you manage such pursuits?' Over the years, I figured that what women need the most is support and inspiration. With confidence, they can achieve wonders."  Hyojeong Kim, the South Korean founder of the NomadHer app for solo travellers, recounted how a frightening solo travel experience at age 20 inspired her to create a community for women. Meanwhile, Susan Ferguson, country representative of UN Women India, shared a 35-year-old memory of trekking alone to Everest Base Camp. "It was challenging and often intimidating, from navigating buses at dawn to finding basic amenities like toilets. But eventually, finding travel companions brought me a sense of relief and safety," she said.  

Discovering Munnar's charm  
Beyond the conference, many delegates also found time to explore Munnar, visiting its renowned spots like Mankulam's Aanakkulam, Tiger Cave, Letchmi Estate and various waterfalls like Viripara, which are next door to the event's venue, the Grand Cliff Resort. Charmerie Maelge, a Gender Specialist from Sri Lanka, remarked, "Munnar's lush landscapes reminded me of home. I have decided to extend my stay at the Grand Cliff to explore its beauty. Even the resort is a testament to how tourism can boost the local economy — supporting women who are into crafts, making food, teaching dance and more." 
The Grand Cliff is managed by Nichestays, which manages some of the most luxurious private hideouts and 5-star resorts in Thekkady, Munnar, Wagamon, and Wayanad.