Category: Kerala

Photo Courtesy: Unique Travels The Kerala Tourism Department, in association with Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS), will launch a programme to train tourism guides in the state. The programme aims to create a pool of trained tourist guides with a firm understanding of the job and excellent proficiency in languages. As part of the programme, 150 regional guides and 50 state level guides will get proper training. The programme will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on February 27 at the International Training Centre of KIITS at 10 am. Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP, will deliver the key-note address at ... Read more

Kerala has registered a 35 per cent increase in Chinese tourist inflow to the state, informed Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran. The minister also said that trade relationship between the two neighbouring countries is good for the all round development of the nations. “With more co-operation and people to people interactions there will be a steady increase in the flow of tourists to the state,” said the minister while addressing the gathering at “The need to strengthen India China Bilateral relations and co-operation for Peace and Development” seminar at Press Club. “The trade between India and China has touched $84 billion and this ... Read more

The Kappil beach in Thiruvananthapuram, which is a confluence of the sea, river and the backwater, has got a facelift with the new projects coming in shape. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran has inaugurated the Kappil Beach beautification project, which is aimed to promote water sport activities in the area. The pristine Kappil Beach and backwaters, located just 7 km away from Varkala, is a peaceful area with ample chances to simply relax or take a comforting boat ride. The Kodi Hills nearby offers a breath-taking view that is sure the capture the hearts of all those who make the trek ... Read more

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the construction of the Pilgrim Tourism Facilitation Center at Kanichukulangara Devi Temple at Cherthala in Alappuzha District of Kerala Kanichukulangara Devi Temple With the expenditure of Rs 4 crore, the Facilitation Center will be built in the Devaswom owned land near the temple. There will be 33 rooms in and 4 shops in the three-story building. In the first phase, 21 rooms will be completed in two floors. The devotees who arrive at the temple during festival time will get their accommodation here. Kanichukulangara Devaswom President Vellapalli Natesan’s initiative to provide relief camp for ... Read more

As part of diversifying the tourism products and to encourage sustainable tourism models, the Responsible Tourism Mission of Kerala is planning a number of innovative concepts in the tourism sector of the state. The objective of the programme is to recompense the loss in the tourism sector due to drop in the number of tourists in the previous year, due to various reasons. As per RT Mission, several community-level tourism activities such as storytelling and cultural sessions will be launched in the month of March. Resource mapping, a process to identify new tourism destinations in the state is being undertaken. ... Read more

Kannur and the associated northern districts of Kerala are famous for its Theyyam performances. Theyyam is a popular ritual form of worship with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The Government of Kerala is setting up a museum for this divine art form in Kannur. The foundation stone for the museum will be laid on February 28, 2019 as a part of the 100 day celebration of the government. The museum will be set up at Chanthappura in Kalyassery of Kannur. Kasaragod, Karivalloor, Nileswaram, Kurumathoor, Cherukunnu, Ezhom and Kunnathoorpadi in North Malabar are places where Theyyams are performed annually (Kaliyattam) and draw ... Read more

Walking tourism is now one of the most popular ways to experience a destination. It allows tourists to better engage with local people, nature and culture. It also help the tourists to maintain their health, while having close connection with the local people, where they travel. A recent report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provides examples of walking tourism that can serve as practical references for destinations that want to develop such offerings. Walking tourism can be developed anywhere as a sustainable tourism offer with a relatively small investment. It can bring about social and economic benefits to residents ... Read more

The iconic Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram is celebrating its centenary this year, with five star status. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is planning a comprehensive renovation/restoration project for the hotel with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. It was announced by M Vijayakumar, KTDC Chairman, on a press meeting held on 22nd February 2019. R Rahul, Managing Director of KTDC was also present on the occasion. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala will inaugurate the renovation works on February 27, at 10 am, at Mascot Hotel. Minister for Tourism, Kadakampally Surendran will be present at the inaugural function. “Mascot ... Read more

Kerala Tourism’s ambitious project ‘Spice Route’ is getting close to implementation. As per recent reports the 2000 year old trade route will be revived with the help of other nations, who were part of the ancient trade route. The countries would be sharing information, knowledge and discussing ways to conserve this shared heritage. Artistic presentation of ancient port in Muzris Historical records reveal that 31 countries in Europe, Asia and Far East had spice trade with ancient Kerala, including Afghanistan, Burma, China, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal and Spain. A journey along the Spice Route is ... Read more

The Shanghumukham beach is all set to celebrate beach carnival from today. The carnival organized by the Shanghumukham Art Museum under the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, will also be supported by Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan and the District Tourism Promotion Council. The main attraction of the beach carnival is the synchronized lighting that strikes the shores of Shankhumukham across the shore. Every evening, there will be various sports competitions followed by entertainment programmes at night. This is the first time such an event is organized in the capital city. Culture Minister AK Balan will inaugurate the beach carnival today at 6 pm. Mayor ... Read more

Kochi has immense potential to be developed as a destination for experiential tourism, considering the heritage value of the scenic seaside town known for its vintage looks and multi-ethnic population. It was opined by Kochi MLA K J Maxy during a workshop organized by the Responsible Tourism Mission. Kochi MLA K J Maxy inaugurates the workshop Fort Kochi has already come under the state’s Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission, which is the nodal agency for introducing and implementing sustainable tourism models for the state. “With its distinct demography and socio-historical status, Kochi merits more prominence on the tourism map,” said the ... Read more

Kerala Tourism has unveiled a new global brand campaign in Delhi on 19th February 2019 to replace the nine-year-old brand campaign ‘Your Moment is Waiting’. The new campaign – ‘Human by Nature’ – celebrates both people and nature equally in a seamless fashion. Kerala Tourism has premiered a short film of three minutes summarizing the way of life of the people, the inclusiveness, peace and harmony, and also rolled out snapshots capturing the vivid aspects of life, culture and nature during the launch of the campaign. Drawn from powerful human stories and set across five different terrains, this film is ... Read more

KJ Alphons, Union Minister for Tourism has inaugurated the project ‘Development of Eco Circuit: Pathanamthitta – Gavi – Vagamon – Thekkady’ under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of Ministry of Tourism at Vagamon, Kerala on 17th February 2019. Kerala Electricity Ministry MM Mani, Perumedu MLA Bijimol and other officials from the tourism and local administration were present on the occasion. Inaugural address by KJ Alphons, Union Tourism Ministry This Eco Circuit project was sanctioned in December 2015 for Rs. 76.55 crores.  Major works carried out under the project includes Eco Adventure Tourism Park at Vagamon, Cultural Centre at Kadamanitta, Eco Log ... Read more

Kerala has been the favourite destination for Telugu people during 2018. As per records, around 1.26 lakh tourists from Telangana visited Kerala during the year, citing an increase of 27 per cent tourist footfall from the state, when compared to the previous year. It was informed by VS Anil, Deputy Director, Kerala Tourism Department, while talking in a B2B meeting in Hyderabad. “Meanwhile, 13 per cent increase in tourist base was registered from the neighboring State of Andhra Pradesh to Kerala during 2018,” he added. The B2B meeting was attended by around 50 hoteliers from Kerala, who had an opportunity ... Read more

The Department of Tourism has invited proposals from eligible sports/event management agencies for branding, promoting, marketing and revenue generation activities of the Champions Boat League. The last date of submitting proposals has been extended till 3 pm, February 21, 2019. The selected agency will be responsible for promotional activities for five years. From this year onward, the famed snake boat races of Kerala are to be held in a league format on all Saturdays from August to November 1. The races will kick-off with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha, on August 10. This will be followed ... Read more