Intelligence Assessment: Kerala Tourism Initiatives Show Critical Gaps in LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Industry Leaders Warn

A recent high-level conclave in Kerala has exposed systemic deficiencies in India's inclusive tourism framework, with prominent industry figures highlighting the persistent exclusion of LGBTQ+ considerations. Keshav Suri, a leading hospitality entrepreneur and advocate, delivered a pointed critique at the 'Kerala for All' gathering, noting that numerous initiatives ostensibly designed for universal accessibility continue to overlook queer-specific needs, thereby undermining their stated purpose of comprehensive inclusion. This assessment aligns with broader architectural and urban planning concerns raised by experts such as Akash Hingorani of Oasis Designs, who identifies a nationwide shortfall in inclusively designed public infrastructure. The convergence of these critiques suggests a fragmented approach to inclusive development, where policy implementation fails to integrate intersectional perspectives essential for genuine accessibility. The intelligence indicates that without targeted interventions to incorporate queer-affirming design principles and services, India's tourism sector risks perpetuating exclusionary practices, potentially compromising both social equity and economic potential in a rapidly evolving global market. This report underscores the necessity for coordinated, evidence-based strategies that move beyond tokenistic inclusion to embed LGBTQ+ considerations at the core of urban and tourism planning.