The city of Trivandrum witnessed a spirited celebration of mixology on May 13th, as the UDS Group of Hotels hosted the second edition of the “Cocktail Live Contest” at the renowned Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel in Kovalam. This unique event was organized in honor of World Cocktail Day and brought together some of the finest bartenders, mixologists, and beverage artists from across Kerala. The contest was not only a showcase of individual talent but also a vibrant celebration of the culture and craftsmanship that defines modern mixology.

World Cocktail Day, observed globally on May 13th, commemorates the first written definition of a cocktail published in 1806 in The Balance and Columbian Repository, a New York-based tabloid. The publication famously defined a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters,” laying the groundwork for what would become a cultural phenomenon in beverage history. Over time, this simple combination evolved into an art form, with countless variations, styles, and innovations developing around the world.

The event in Kovalam attracted top talent from Kerala’s most celebrated hotels, pubs, and nightlife venues. Participants arrived not only to compete but to connect, learn, and share their passion for cocktails. The atmosphere at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel was electric, charged with creativity, energy, and camaraderie. The contestants were given a platform to present their signature creations, each hoping to impress with originality, balance of flavors, visual appeal, and overall presentation.

A distinguished panel of judges was brought in to evaluate the participants. Joy, a graduate from Delhi University; Karthik, an expert in menu engineering and bar creativity; and Saravanan from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in Kovalam formed the jury. Their role was to assess each mixologist’s performance based on a structured set of parameters that included adherence to the rules, use of ingredients, innovation, technique, and the final presentation of the drink. The judging process was rigorous yet appreciative, focused not only on technical skill but also on the artistic and sensory experience created by each cocktail.

Speaking at the event, Raja Gopaal Iyer, CEO of UDS Group of Hotels, emphasized the deeper purpose behind the contest. He remarked that the event was far more than a competition; it was a conscious effort to offer mixologists from the hospitality industry a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their talents and elevate the art of cocktail-making to a wider audience. His vision was to create a platform that honors skill, encourages innovation, and fosters a sense of pride and recognition among those who make a career in this field.

The contest concluded with the announcement of the winners. Ajith, representing Gokulam Grand in Trivandrum, claimed the first prize, receiving a cash award of ₹25,000, a special gift hamper, and a certificate recognizing his achievement. The second prize was awarded to Prathyusha from Booyah in Cochin, who walked away with ₹15,000 in cash along with a hamper and certificate. The third prize was presented to Mudhu Murthy from Hycinth, who was awarded ₹5,000, a gift hamper, and a certificate. All other participants received certificates of participation in recognition of their skill and effort, reinforcing the inclusive and appreciative spirit of the contest.

The event drew a diverse and enthusiastic crowd that included representatives from the travel and tourism sector, hotel guests, members of hospitality and airline associations, as well as professionals from beverage companies and food manufacturing industries. The vibrant gathering served as a melting pot of industry stakeholders and enthusiasts, all coming together to celebrate mixology as an integral aspect of contemporary hospitality culture.

The primary aim of the Cocktail Live Contest, as emphasized by the organizers, is to recognize and encourage the talent, expertise, and creativity of hospitality professionals in the field of mixology. The event was held in a responsible and respectful manner, with the clear intention not to promote alcohol consumption or endorse any specific beverage brands, but to uplift the artistic and technical skill involved in crafting the perfect cocktail.

To understand the significance of this celebration, it is essential to look at the historical journey of cocktails. The origins of the cocktail as a drink can be traced back to 19th-century Britain, but it was in America that it truly flourished. A key turning point came with the publication of The Bartender’s Guide by Connecticut-born bartender Jerry Thomas, often hailed as the father of American mixology. His book served as a comprehensive manual for mixing drinks and became an essential resource for generations of bartenders.

The cocktail culture evolved dramatically during the 1920s American Prohibition era, a time when high-quality alcohol was scarce and underground speakeasies became the norm. Creative bartenders began crafting cocktails to mask the harsh taste of illegally produced spirits. Iconic drinks such as the Mojito, Sidecar, Tom Collins, and the Bee’s Knees emerged during this period and continue to be beloved classics. The Bee’s Knees, in particular, was designed to sweeten and soften the taste of “bathtub gin” using honey and lemon.

After Prohibition ended, the cocktail world experienced a renaissance. In 1954, the now-famous Pina Colada was created by Ramon Marrero at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in Puerto Rico. Later, in 1988, Toby Cecchini popularized the Cosmopolitan in San Francisco, adding yet another chapter to the ever-expanding cocktail legacy.

One of the enduring symbols of post-Prohibition glamour and sophistication was New York’s Rainbow Room. First opened in 1934, the Rainbow Room quickly became a haven for celebrities and socialites. Its 1987 reopening marked a pivotal moment in cocktail history, when master mixologist Dale DeGroff curated a menu of pre-Prohibition cocktails, sparking a revival that helped shape the modern cocktail renaissance.

The Cocktail Live Contest at Kovalam was a continuation of this grand tradition—a celebration of heritage, a platform for innovation, and a testament to the enduring appeal of cocktails. It was a reminder that mixology is not merely about pouring drinks, but about storytelling, creativity, and cultural expression—crafted, shaken, stirred, and served with flair.

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The Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), a leading body representing the interests of the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in the state, has announced its new set of office bearers for the 2025–27 term. With an emphasis on sustainable practices, inclusive growth, and positioning Karnataka as a premier destination on the global tourism map, the newly elected team brings a dynamic blend of industry experience and forward-looking vision.

Mr. Patrick George of Prakruthi Holidays has taken charge as President of the Forum. Expressing gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to him, he stated, “I am deeply honoured to have been elected President of the Karnataka Tourism Forum. This is a pivotal time for our industry, and I look forward to working closely with our members, government bodies, and stakeholders to position Karnataka as a leading year-round tourism destination. Together, we aim to drive growth, foster innovation, and enhance the global visibility of our diverse offerings—from heritage and nature to wellness and adventure.”

Supporting him in this mission, Mr. Vaibhav D Kamat of Kamat Eco-Tours & Jungle Holidays has been elected Vice President. He remarked, “It is a privilege to serve as Vice-President of the Karnataka Tourism Forum. I believe this platform plays a vital role in bringing together tourism professionals and policymakers to shape the future of tourism in our state. My focus will be on strengthening partnerships, supporting tourism entrepreneurs, and promoting Karnataka’s hidden gems through inclusive and responsible tourism practices.”

The new team also includes Mr. Ganesh Basavaraj of Rainforest Retreats Pvt. Ltd. as Secretary, Ms. Vinutha Kiran of Travel Lounge Inc as Joint Secretary, and Mr. Vinay KN of Cruise and Travel Pvt. Ltd. as Treasurer. Alongside the core office bearers, the Forum’s new core committee includes Mr. SN Krishna Chidambara (Sri Sathya Sai Tourists), Mr. Prashanth BS (Safe Wheels Tours and Travels), Mr. Arvind (Crimson Holidays LLP), Mr. Prashanth Shenoy (Dravidian Trails Destination Management), Mr. Dinesh SD (Amazing India Travelxp), Mr. Sudhir KR (Vizi Tours), and Mr. Ramesh Chandran (Soukhya Holidays).

The Karnataka Tourism Forum has played a crucial role over the years in strengthening the tourism ecosystem through trade events, capacity-building initiatives, and active engagement between the private sector and government. With this new leadership, the Forum is poised to further amplify its efforts by expanding outreach initiatives, developing thematic tourism circuits, supporting sustainable travel practices, and promoting community-based tourism. It aims to work in close partnership with Karnataka Tourism and allied industry bodies to unlock fresh opportunities and establish a more vibrant, inclusive, and responsible tourism landscape for the state.

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In its continued efforts to position Rajasthan as a premier global destination, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), is making an exclusive and vibrant appearance at the prestigious “Colors of the World Fair” being held from 18 April to 20 April, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Rajasthan Pavilion is an immersive celebration of the State’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and warm hospitality. On day one, the Pavilion witnessed a grand opening ceremony and quickly became a hub of activity and attraction. Visitors were welcomed by senior officials from the Department of Tourism, along with the Presidents of FHTR and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), and prominent members of Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO). The delegation also includes renowned hoteliers, travel agents, destination management companies, event professionals, folk artists, and culinary experts.

It is to be noted that Rajasthan’s presence stood out with vibrant traditional attire, including saris and turbans, soulful folk music, live culinary experiences, and engaging cultural activities and giveaways. The Pavilion received an overwhelming response from international guests, who were particularly enchanted by the live music performances and the unique opportunity to sample Rajasthani culture firsthand.

President of FHTR, Kuldeep Singh Chandela delivered a heartfelt welcome address, setting the tone for Rajasthan’s participation. He, along with Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Punita Singh, also joined an insightful panel discussion on the future of global tourism, engaging with high-ranking tourism officials from across the world.

The fair has also highlighted the tremendous tourism potential between Turkiye and Rajasthan, with cultural similarities and shared heritage offering a strong foundation for collaboration and mutual growth.

With such an energetic and promising start, the Rajasthan delegation aims to further strengthen international tourism ties and showcase the unmatched diversity and experiences the State has to offer

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Training and skill development are critical components of futuristic development of tourism sector, which is diversifying into various verticals promising great opportunities for young entrepreneurs and innovators, Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas said today.

The Minister was inaugurating a one-day national seminar and panel discussion on ‘Innovations in Tourism Industry: Redefining Opportunities in a Dynamic Global Landscape,’ organised by the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) here, in association with Indian Society for Training and Development (ISTD), Thiruvananthapuram chapter.

“As tourism sector is diversifying into different verticals like responsible tourism, heritage tourism and adventure tourism, young entrepreneurs and professionals need to be innovative and come up with new products,” Shri Riyas said.

State Tourism Department is committed to supporting startups and MSME’s in tourism sector by providing incubation facilities, mentoring and financial aid, said Shri Riyas.

“We should focus on areas like skill development, hospitality, language upskilling, digital literacy, administrative skills. The academic excellence of KITTS, integrated with ISTD’s industry knowledge, will enhance the capabilities of our professionals, who can compete in global platforms,” the Minister said.

The state Tourism Department has also programmes to support entrepreneurial aspirations of local communities and youngsters, which will add a thrust to socio economic growth and integrated development, he said.

The minister noted that the pre-bid meeting organised for briefing investors about the Sasthampara Adventure Park and Training Centre project saw the participation of around 20 entrepreneurs.

Shri Riyas presented on the occasion the ISTD Trivandrum Chapter’s “Outstanding Outbound Tour Operator Award 2024-’25” to Shri Benny Panikulangara of Royal Tours.

Setting the context for the seminar and panel discussion, Dr. M. R. Dileep, Director, KITTS, said youngsters should come up with innovative products in tourism sector.

Dr. K. S. Chandrasekar, Chairman ISTD Trivandrum Chapter, also spoke at the inaugural session.

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Milma today launched two new products—Instant Butter Idiyappam and Instant Ghee Upma—as part of the cooperative dairy major’s initiative to meet the market demand for authentic, high-quality kitchen staples.

Minister for Ports and Cooperation Shri VN Vasavan unveiled the Butter Idiyappam while Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Smt J Chinchurani introduced the Ghee Upma in the presence of Milma Chairman Shri KS Mani, at a function on the sidelines of Sahakarana Expo at Kanakakunnu Palace here.

Shri VN Vasavan said Kerala’s cooperative sector is manufacturing more than 400 products made from biodiverse materials, and Milma is a major contributor with its innovative products.

“Some of our products are now being exported to America and the Middle East, which is proof of the quality of our products,” he said.

Milma has recently introduced many ready-to-cook products suitable for today’s fast-paced lifestyle without compromising on nutritional values, which has gained popularity among customers in a short span of time, said Smt Chinjurani.

 She noted that Milma has already launched many innovative, value-added ready-to-cook products, including paneer butter masala, instant pulissery, and instant payasam mix, which are in high demand.

“Milma is now exporting its ready-to-cook products to foreign countries owing to the increase in customer demand, which shows the credibility of our products,” said Smt Chinjurani.

“The success of the diverse dairy products from Milma has helped increase the income of dairy farmers and dairy units,” she added.

Upma and Idiyappam, two of South India’s most popular dishes, get a twist of taste with the infusion of Milma’s ghee and butter, adding to their nutritional value.

Designed with the help of advanced technology, the Ghee Upma and Butter Idiyappam can be cooked instantly and have shelf lives of six months and one year, respectively, without using any artificial preservatives.

Milma Chairman Shri KS Mani said that as part of diversification and increasing the customer base among all categories of society, Milma has introduced around 150 products in the market.

“In today’s competitive market, Milma focuses on highly nutritional ready-to-cook products that can attract youth. More products are being designed by our Research and Development wing,” he added. 

K Premkumar MLA; Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Dr D Sajith Babu IAS; Director, Department of Dairy Development, Smt Salini Gopinath; Milma Managing Director Shri Asif K Yusuf, Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (MRCMPU) MD Shri KC James, Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU) MD Dr Muraly P and MRCMPU board members attended the function.

All Milma products, including the newly introduced ones, are available at discounted prices at the ongoing Cooperative expo and fair being held at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds

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The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) expresses its deepest anguish
and strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on
April 22, 2025. This senseless act of violence targeting visitors who came to experience the beauty
and hospitality of our country is both deplorable and tragic.
Mr. K.Syama Raju, President of FHRAI, stated: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the
cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their
families during this heartbreaking time. Such acts of terrorism are not only crimes against humanity
but also a direct assault on India’s image as a safe and welcoming destination for global travellers.”
“India has always prided itself on its rich heritage of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ — the guest is God. We
will not allow fear and violence to undermine our commitment to providing safe, memorable, and
enriching experiences to every traveller who visits our land. The hospitality and tourism industry
stands united in resilience, and we urge authorities to ensure justice is swiftly delivered.”
FHRAI stands in full solidarity with the directive issued by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during a
recent high-level meeting, as conveyed by Mr. Suman Billa, IAS – Director General & Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. The Prime Minister has appealed to all tourism industry
stakeholders to extend every possible support to the affected tourists, facilitate their safe return to
their hometowns, and refrain from charging any cancellation fees.
In line with this, FHRAI has requested all its member establishments across the country not to
impose cancellation charges on tourists wishing to return from Kashmir. This gesture is in the
spirit of compassion, solidarity, and responsible tourism, which lies at the heart of our industry.
We urge all our members to uphold this humanitarian appeal and support the national effort in
assisting and comforting the distressed travellers

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The Keralaites Travels & Tours Consortium (KTTC) has officially announced the TUSHAAR Mega Tourism B2B Meet 2025, set to take place on September 13, 2025, at the CIAL Convention Centre in Kochi. KTTC, a prominent non-profit collective of over 200 travel agents from across Kerala, has consistently worked towards empowering tourism entrepreneurs and strengthening Kerala’s presence in the global travel industry.

TUSHAAR, KTTC’s flagship event, has grown to become South India’s leading travel mart. Since its debut in 2022, the B2B meet has provided a unique platform for collaboration between emerging travel professionals and international tourism stakeholders including destination management companies, top hoteliers, and B2B portal operators. The event, which started with 50 stalls, quickly scaled up to over 100 stalls in 2023. In 2024, TUSHAAR moved to the more expansive CIAL Convention Centre, where it hosted over 200 stalls and welcomed more than 5300 travel buyers from all across South India.

Riding on this wave of success, KTTC is gearing up to make the 2025 edition even more impactful, promising broader participation, strategic networking, and meaningful business collaborations that will further boost the region’s tourism economy.

As a prestigious prelude to the main event in Kochi, KTTC hosted the TUSHAAR 2025 Business Conference in Thailand on February 19, 2025. The conference was held in Pattaya in collaboration with Zoombi Holidays DMC Thailand, the Title Sponsor of TUSHAAR 2025, and was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. As part of this international partnership, Zoombi Holidays extended an all-expenses-paid invitation to 40 leading KTTC travel agents to participate in the conference. The event provided a valuable opportunity for cross-border dialogue and tourism promotion between India and Thailand. The official announcement and brochure launch of TUSHAAR 2025 took place during the conference, led by senior officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, at Hotel Sun Beam, Pattaya.

With preparations in full swing, KTTC is inviting tourism professionals and industry stakeholders from across the region and beyond to participate in TUSHAAR 2025. The event continues to represent KTTC’s unwavering commitment to nurturing industry excellence, creating powerful business opportunities, and driving the future of travel forward.

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    Minister shares Kerala’s experience in online presentation to annual meet of American Society of Public Administration

 Year of Enterprises project receives ASPA’s Award

The Year of Enterprises (YOE) initiative launched by the Kerala Government in 2022-23 for building a highly conducive ecosystem for MSME sector powered the state’s profound transformation into an industrial and entrepreneurship friendly ecosystem, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Shri P Rajeeve said.

The Minister was making an online presentation to the annual conference of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) on ‘Developing Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Policy and Successful implementation: A Case Study of Year of Enterprises.’

Kerala was presented with ASPA’s award for Innovation in Public Administration for the successful implementation of YOE project.

Shri Suman Billa, who was till recently Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala, received the award on behalf of the Kerala government at the event held in Washington DC. Mr Billa is at present the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in New Delhi.

ASPA is a membership association of almost 10,000 professionals in the United States, sponsoring conferences and providing professional services primarily in the areas of government policy, public administration, and programmes of civil society.

Regretting that he could not be physically present for the event ‘due to technical reasons,’ the Minister thanked the ASPA for inviting him to share the experience of Kerala’s innovative initiatives, especially the huge success of the YOE project.

The massive outcome of the project, which unlocked the entrepreneurial potential of the state, has far exceeded its initial target of creating over 100,000 units in the MSME sector in a year and generating over 300,000 jobs, he said.

“Kerala has created a model of sustainable growth by adopting the right strategies and ensuring the convergence of efforts across the MSME ecosystem, government departments, R&D and academic institutions, trade unions and financial institutions,” the Minister said.

“Our economic vision is rooted in the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Excellence. We are committed to transforming our state into a trillion-dollar economy, focusing on nature, people and industry. Our goal is to ensure quality infrastructure, enhance the standard of living, and support economic prosperity for all,” he noted.

Though the slow growth of industrial sector had for long been a matter of serious concern, due to the government’s legislative and administrative policy initiatives in recent years the situation had changed, he said.

In 2019, Kerala was ranked the 28th in Ease of Doing Business (EODB). The legislative and administrative reforms introduced by the government since 2016 have instilled confidence in both industries and society, which resulted in the state being ranked the number one in EODB in India, the Minister said.

MSME sector in Kerala, which can play a crucial role in the economic transformation and creating jobs to youth and socially disadvantaged sections including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women, and persons with disabilities, was faced with grim challenges.

These hurdles included absence of targeted policies, infrastructure limitations, limited access to credit and risk capital, better market linkages, inadequate convergence among various departments, leading to delays in approvals and lack of proper awareness among the public.

The YOE initiative, however, has successfully addressed these challenges and set the MSME sector on a high growth trajectory. The government has simplified and rationalised procedures for starting MSME units. At the grassroots, the local bodies have been leveraged for monitoring the progress of the scheme, besides roping in the state’s robust startup ecosystem for technology support.

These efforts exceeded expectations leading to the creation of over 350,000 MSMEs during 2022-25. According to data from State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), there has been a massive increase in loans provided to the MSMEs since the launch of YOE.

The government has also come out with novel projects like private industrial estate scheme which encourages the development of private industrial estates by offering financial support of Rs 300 lakhs per acre for land development and 33 new industrial farms were established within a year.

The scale of subsidies and the margin money for nano units have also been increased. The industry-university linkage scheme was another major initiative, besides establishing Campus Industrial Parks to promote youth entrepreneurship.

The Kerala Brand initiative focuses on creating a unique identity for Kerala’s products to enhance their global market presence.

“This journey underscores the power of strategic vision, collaborative governance and efficient implementation in driving inclusive and sustainable growth. The road ahead is full of possibilities and we look forward to forge ahead with more transformative initiatives,” Shri Rajeeve added.

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Alappuzha water tourism, Malampuzha Garden beautification get nod under Swadesh Darshan 2.0

Tourism Minister Riyas welcomes decision

In a big boost to Kerala Tourism, the Centre has given administrative and financial sanction for two major projects with a total outlay of Rs 169.05 crores for enhancing the touristy appeal of water tourism in Alappuzha and the Malampuzha Garden in Palakkad.

Both the projects were submitted by the State Tourism Department, seeking clearance under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry. TheDetailed Project Report (DPR) drawn up by the state tourism department were reviewed by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee of the Union Tourism Ministry.

The ‘Alappuzha- A Global Water Wonderland’ project, which seeks to integrate the water tourism of the area, involves a total cost of Rs 93.17 crore while the ‘Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park’ project is estimated to cost Rs 75.87 crores.

Welcoming the Centre’s decision, Kerala Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas said these projects will reinforce Kerala’s standing as a major destination of the country, boosting both international and domestic tourism.

The Global Water Wonderland project will firm up Alappuzha’s position as a global water tourism hub and bring benefits to the sectoral stakeholders and the local community in the entire south Kerala, the Minister said.

“Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park has for long been one of the most-visited tourism sites of north Kerala. The implementation of this project will be a further boost to tourism in north Kerala by making the site more appealing to visitors,” he said.

The Minister recalled that he had taken up these projects with the Union Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during his visit to the state capital earlier this month for the review of tourism activities in Kerala.

The Alappuzha project envisages beach front development, canal side transformation, waste management systems, an international cruise terminal and facilities for cultural and community engagements.

The Malampuzha project envisages development of theme parks, water fountains, recreational zones, walkways, cultural sites, hospitality areas, landscaping, improved amenities and sustainable waste management systems.

Both the projects are to be completed before 31^st March 2026.

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The meandering road from Munnar to Thekkady in Kerala has been selected for the India Today magazine Editors’ Choice award in the Most Scenic Road category, in a testament to the soul-stirring experience that travellers get while criss-crossing through this extravagant panoramic creation of Nature.  

Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran received the award from Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a function in New Delhi today.

On the occasion, The India Today Group hosted an annual event to announce the winners of its Tourism Survey—an exercise that focuses on the efforts of India’s many energetic State Tourism bodies.

Tourism Minister Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, who also holds the PWD ministry under which road development comes, said the accolade is significant as such a recognition will increase footfalls in Munnar and Thekkady, which are considered internationally acclaimed tourist hotspots. These places offer plenty for a diverse range of travellers—be it a hitch-hiker, a backpacker, a wanderlust, a shutterbug or family vacationers,” he added. 

“The award from the prestigious India Today Group is a reaffirmation of Kerala’s natural beauty that presents a memorable experience to travellers. We have launched a number of eco-tourism activities in Thekkady while Munnar is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South India,” Smt Surendran said.

Munnar and Thekkady, the two scenic places nestled in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala, are dotted with green hills and tea estates. A road trip to these two places, considered as one of the longest odysseys in South India, offers a spectacular view of tea gardens in Munnar, forests in Western Ghats and rolling hills, interspersed with waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries and the 2,695-metre-tall Anamudi Peak.

Earlier in 2023, Kerala’s Caravan Tourism policy, ‘Keravan Kerala’ project rolled out by the State Tourism Department, was selected for India Today’s Editor’s Choice Award. Kerala had also figured as the Best Performing Big State in India Today’s ‘State of the States 2022’ ranking, on the strength of the state’s well-crafted strategies and initiatives to retain its standing as the country’s premier tourism destination.

Over the last years, Kerala Tourism has bagged awards from prestigious publications like TIME magazine, New York Times, and Travel+Leisure magazine.

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