Category: Kerala

Procession organized by ATTOI in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala’s tourism sector has been bouncing back to normalcy after the devastating floods of August this year. However, the industry is still facing holdups in various forms from different areas. The recent strike (harthal) in the name of Sabarimala temple was the latest event, which affected the tourists visiting the state. Normally tourists are exempted from strikes or harthals, as they are considered guests of the state. However, for the first time, tourists were also targeted on  harthal, which took place on 17th November 2018.  The protest in the Kochi International Airport on 16th ... Read more

As many as 17 grama panchayats in Calicut district of Northern Kerala, is planning to jointly host Malayora Mahotsavam, with an aim to overcome the crisis in the rural tourism sector caused by the floods. The event will showcase the unexplored destinations in the district and attract investments. The event, backed by the state Tourism Department, will be held in January and will offer venues to small-scale industrialists, rural innovators, and farm tourism entrepreneurs to display their products and services. “The aim of hosting the event is to let the world know that our eco-tourism destinations are fully back on ... Read more

Russia to reinforce its bonds with Kerala in the tourism sector, said Oleg Avdeev, Consul General of Russia to South India. He was speaking after inaugurating a seminar organised by the Russian Cultural Center and Yatrika magazine in Thiruvananthapuram. Avdeev said number of tourists to Kerala from Russia there had been increased substantially these days. “Kerala has always been the favourite tourist destination of Russian tourists. Although there was a dip in the number of tourists in the 90s, Kerala has yet again emerged as the favourite tourist spot of Russians,” he said. He further noted that the number of ... Read more

Airbus Bizlab India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Kerala to help establish an aerospace-focused innovation centre in Thiruvananthapuram. This state-of-the-art centre will be the nodal body for planning and executing all the activities to help start-ups. The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is aimed at fostering and nurturing an enabling ecosystem for aviation startups in the state. The move highlights Airbus India’s continued commitment to the ‘Startup India’ mission. The MoU was inked between Airbus Bizlab India’s Siddharth Balachandran and Saji Gopinath, CEO of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi ... Read more

After got recognized for the initiatives in Responsible Tourism at the World Travel Market, which concluded in London recently; Kerala tourism has bagged another prestigious award – the Best Honeymoon Destination in India – at the 7th edition of readers’ choice India’s Best Awards, organized by magazine Travel + Leisure India and South Asia. The award was received by Sreekumar, Deputy Director for Kerala Tourism at a function held at ITC Maurya in New Delhi. Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Kerala also got two more awards in other categories. Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty was awarded the Best New Hotel in domestic ... Read more

Association of Tourism Trade Organizations, India, in association with Tourism News Live is planning to conduct a one-day seminar on Modern Trends in Tourism Marketing on November 27, 2018. The seminar, scheduled to be held at the KITTS Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram, will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran. The inaugural session of the seminar will be conducted by Rajeev Devaraj, Editor, News18 Kerala. Rajeev will give Digital Marketing Tips to the travel trade associates attending the seminar. Anish Kumar P K, Past President of ATTOI and Managing Director of Travel Planners will take a session on ‘Need of Instagram ... Read more

As a part of the beautification programmes, Akkulam Tourist Village to have a Kiran Aircraft of the Indian Air force. Kerala Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran dedicated the aircraft to the public on 13th November 2018. “Having this aircraft at the tourist village to be considered an appreciation from the Indian Air force, to the various developmental activities carried out by Kerala Tourism in the tourist spot,” said the minister. Since 1968, Kiran MK1 has been the training aircraft for the Hyderabad Air force Academy. “We hope the aircraft will attract everyone coming to the tourist village,” said B Suresh, Air ... Read more

The fifth edition of International Mountain Cycling Contest to be held at the hilly district of Wayanad in Kerala on December 8. MTB Kerala-2018 will be held at the Priyadarshini Tea Estate in Mananthavady. The logo of the event was released by Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran by handing it over to E M Najeeb, Senior Vice-President of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Tourism Additional Director Raghudasan, Cycling Federation of India Treasurer Jayaprakash, Magazine editor of Tourism India, Ravi Shankar and KATPS CEO Manesh Bhaskar were also present at the event. The event organized by Kerala Tourism, in association with Kerala ... Read more

Tollywood young star Allu Arjun was the guest of honour at the 66th Nehru Trophy Boat Race took place in Alappuzha on Saturday. The annual sports event is being conducted in a big way this year as the state is reviving from the recent floods that had caused much havoc, and the district authorities want to spread the message that tourism is back in Kerala. Allu being welcomed to the boat race venue Allu, who has a huge fan base in Kerala, received special welcome with traditional Kerala ‘Chenda melam’ at the venue of the boat race. Thousands of youngsters ... Read more

Payippadan has become the fastest snake boat (Chundan vallam) and winner in the 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR), which has taken place at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha today, 10th November 2018. Mahadevikad Thekkathil came second in the race.  Champakkulam and  Ayaparambu Pandi were the other boats competed in the final round. This is the fourth time Payippadan become winner in the Nehru Trophy Anari of SNBC, Kainakari wins Chundan 3rd loosers final. Saint George of Brothers Boat Club, Edathua wins Chundan 2nd loosers’ final. Chellikkadan, Kattil Thekkathil and Cumpini competed for Thekkanodi (Women) Kettu Vallam final. ... Read more

The 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) took place at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha on 10th November 2018. Around 81 boats, including 25 snakeboats, made a splash on Punnamada Lake. The event gave the much-needed impetus to the flood-ravaged backwater tourism sector. Kerala Governor P Sathasivam has inaugurated the event in the presence of Kerala ministers and other dignitaries. South Indian young star Allu Arjun flagged of the race. Kerala Blasters foot ball team was also present at the venue to cheer up the oarsmen. Payippadan has become the fastest snake boat (Chundan vallam) and winner ... Read more

The stage is set for the 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. Around 81 boats, including 25 snakeboats, will make a splash on Punnamada Lake today. The event is expected to give the much-needed impetus to the flood-ravaged backwater tourism sector. The 66th edition of the race, slated to be held on August 11, was postponed due to flood. After the preliminary selection rounds, the final race will begin at 2.30 pm and end at 5.30 pm. Kerala Governor P Sathasivam will be the chief guest, and Union Minister for Tourism, Alphons Kannanthanam, ... Read more

Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally  Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George receives the Gold Award Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission has bagged Gold Award for Best in Responsible Tourism in the world. The award was received by Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally  Surendran and Tourism Secretary Rani George at the venue of World Travel Market, London on 6th October 2018. Launched in October 2017, the RT Mission is envisaged with a ‘triple-bottom-line’ mission, which comprises economic, social and environmental responsibilities. Making tourism a tool for the development of village and local communities, eradicating poverty and giving emphasis to women empowerment are the main ... Read more

Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, Vaikom embraces travellers with its beautiful water bodies and serene village life. Exploring the backwaters, narrow canals and life of the small villages of Vaikom is best possible through canoe cruises which are close to the hearts of nature lovers since it is eco-friendly. A laid-back cruise in a canoe soaks one in the rich natural beauty of the surrounding greenery. The pottery village of Vaikom grants travellers a chance to watch the enthralling process of rendering life to clay and mud. Visitors can experience the village life on the way. traditional coir making, pottery, ... Read more

Koyilandy Municipality Building Kerala government is venturing to generate more employment opportunities in the tourism sector by exploring the potential of Malabar region. It was informed by A C Moideen, Minister for Local Self Governments, while addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Koyilandy municipality’s new shopping complex-cum-office annex on Monday,5th November 2018. “The government will give priority to innovative ventures like river tourism. Around Rs 350 crore is planned to invest in the sector,” said the minister. Koyilandy Harbour “We are confident of executing the proposed National Waterway project in the State by 2020,” added the ... Read more