Published on September 7, 2025
Kerala is making a concerted effort to position itself arsenic a starring taste tourism destination by showcasing nan grandeur of its Onam festivities to world tourists. The state’s vibrant celebrations, rich | successful contented and organization spirit, connection a unsocial glimpse into India’s taste heritage. By inviting world visitors to acquisition Onam firsthand, Kerala not only highlights 1 of India’s astir iconic festivals but besides strengthens its estimation arsenic a hub for taste tourism. This inaugural underscores Kerala’s committedness to promoting sustainable tourism while immersing travelers successful authentic section experiences, ensuring that nan world spotlight connected Onam benefits some nan section system and nan tourism sector.
Kerala is positioning itself arsenic a apical destination for taste tourism, pinch a awesome attraction connected showcasing Onam arsenic 1 of India’s astir celebrated and iconic festivals. In a bid to raise world consciousness of this vibrant festival, nan authorities has launched a caller inaugural done its Cultural Exchange Programme, led by nan Responsible Tourism Mission Society. This eager programme intends to item Kerala’s rich | taste practice while promoting Onam’s value successful nan world taste tourism landscape.
The inaugural kicked disconnected pinch a 12-member world delegation, which included tourism leaders, academics, and circuit operators from countries specified arsenic nan United Kingdom, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and South Korea. Their sojourn began pinch a circuit of Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) hotspots, peculiarly nan scenic backwaters of Kottayam, including destinations for illustration Aymanam, Kumarakom, and Maravanthuruthu. These areas, known for their serene beauty and accepted charm, are astatine nan bosom of Kerala’s RT movement, which emphasizes sustainable and community-based tourism practices.
During their visit, nan delegation had nan opportunity to prosecute pinch section communities and acquisition unsocial handcrafted items made from coconut shells and clay, products of section RT initiatives. These handicrafts, produced by organization artisans, service arsenic a testament to Kerala’s committedness to preserving indigenous craftsmanship. The group besides knowledgeable nan vibrant rhythms of Kerala’s accepted percussion ensembles, which were performed to invited them, offering a heavy dive into nan state’s philharmonic heritage. As portion of their taste immersion, nan delegation participated successful an authentic Onam feast, enjoying nan accepted Sadhya meal, a cardinal constituent of nan festival’s celebrations.
In summation to these activities, nan world visitors participated successful accepted competitions organized by nan Responsible Tourism units. These competitions, a hallmark of nan Onam festival, are an integral portion of Kerala’s taste fabric, and nan delegation’s engagement successful them allowed them to acquisition firsthand nan organization tone that defines nan festival. Onam is not conscionable a belief event; it is simply a ceremony of Kerala’s agrarian past, organization values, and taste pride, pinch rituals, games, and feasts that bring group together successful a shared ceremony of life.
As nan delegation’s sojourn continues, they will besides person nan chance to witnesser nan expansive Onam pageantry, a item of nan Onam Week Celebrations. Scheduled to return spot connected September 9 successful nan authorities capital, Thiruvananthapuram, nan pageant will characteristic elaborate processions, accepted creation forms for illustration Thiruvathira, and nan celebrated Vallam Kali (boat races), which are cardinal to Onam festivities. This taste extravaganza is group to showcase Kerala’s unsocial creator traditions and nan immense pridefulness nan authorities takes successful its heritage.
The Cultural Exchange Programme is being organized by Kerala Tourism nether nan guidance of Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas. Minister Riyas emphasized that nan world delegation’s sojourn is designed to connection a broad knowing of nan state’s Responsible Tourism model. This globally acclaimed tourism inaugural focuses connected creating tourism experiences that use section communities while fostering biology sustainability. The visitors are being introduced to various RT projects, specified arsenic women-friendly tourism, gender-inclusive initiatives, colony life experiences, and innovative schemes for illustration STREET, PEPPER, and exemplary RT Villages. These initiatives not only beforehand tourism but besides empower section communities, ensuring that nan benefits of tourism are wide distributed.
The circuit spans aggregate districts crossed Kerala, pinch visits to Responsible Tourism sites successful Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur. These regions correspond nan diverseness of Kerala’s tourism offerings, from its coastal beauty and backwaters to its vibrant agrarian landscapes and historical towns. The delegation is expected to summation valuable insights into really Kerala’s tourism exemplary integrates section culture, sustainability, and economical growth, making it a exemplary for different regions astir nan world.
The Cultural Exchange Programme will reason connected September 11, marking nan extremity of an enriching travel for nan world delegates. As Kerala continues to stress taste tourism, nan state’s attraction connected Onam and its Responsible Tourism initiatives is expected to pull greater world attention, positioning nan authorities arsenic a starring taste tourism destination successful India and beyond. This inaugural is not only astir celebrating Kerala’s festivals but besides astir promoting sustainable and community-driven tourism that benefits some locals and visitors alike.