States » SouthPosted at: Oct 6 2026 7:58PM


Kerala Tourism Minister launches ‘Brand Wayanad’ initiative

Wayanad, Oct 6 (UNI) Kerala Tourism, Cinema and Cultural Affairs Minister P. C. Vishnunadh on Tuesday launched the Tourism Department’s ‘Brand Wayanad’ initiative, aimed at positioning the district as a safe, sustainable and distinctive tourism destination by showcasing its natural, agricultural, cultural and tribal heritage.
The initiative was launched as part of the State Government’s 100-day action programme.
Vishnunadh said Kerala’s tourism policy was to collaborate with other destinations rather than compete with them, and said joint tourism circuits linking destinations with similar characteristics, including Coorg and Mysore and international destinations such as Sri Lanka, were being considered.
He urged people not to spread misinformation portraying the entire Wayanad district as unsafe, pointing out that the recent natural disaster had affected only two wards of Meppadi panchayat — Mundakkai and Chooralmala.
The minister also launched new Life Experience Trails of the Responsible Tourism Mission and a guided travel programme covering the Thirunelli circuit, Chekadi Farm and a coffee experience.
As part of Kerala Tourism’s promotional activities, traditional art forms and tableaux from the state will be presented at this year’s Mysore Dasara. From next year, Onam celebrations in Kerala will be organised on a scale comparable to the Mysore Dasara celebrations, he said.
Vishnunadh said a draft policy to grant industry status to tourism, a long-standing demand of the sector, had been submitted for Cabinet approval. Homestay owners in the state would be classified into three clusters and provided specialised training, while increasing the average length of tourists’ stay, bringing Malabar tourism into the mainstream and improving the financial viability of KTDC establishments would remain among the government’s priorities.
Kerala Tourism Director M. Anjana, who delivered the welcome address, described Brand Wayanad as a simple idea with a larger objective of giving the district a distinct identity in the global tourism map.
The initiative seeks to ensure that tourism-generated income benefits farmers, artisans, tribal families and young entrepreneurs in Wayanad. Wayanad coffee, spices, traditional rice varieties and honey, along with local cuisine, agricultural life, tribal heritage and rural experiences, will be integrated into tourism offerings.
The Tourism Department also plans to promote the Geographical Indication-tagged Wayanad Robusta Coffee as a premium product in global markets through a ‘farm-to-cup’ model.
As part of efforts to preserve tribal heritage, the En Ooru heritage village will be expanded. A Tribal University and Heritage Knowledge Zone will also be established at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.
Other components of Brand Wayanad include the Wayanad CSR Exchange, a land portal intended to facilitate corporate participation, and an e-waste-free campaign aimed at strengthening environmental protection.
As part of the curtain-raiser programme, the ‘En Ooru’ Live Experience Zone will remain open to the public from 1000 to 1700 hours on both days. Visitors can experience traditional tribal life, a tribal food festival, heritage and handicraft exhibitions and community-based activities.
Experts also addressed sessions on different aspects of Wayanad as part of the programme.
Saneesh C. S., Biodiversity Lead at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, spoke on ‘Nature and Wildlife Diversity’; writer and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Chairman Kalpetta Narayanan addressed the session on ‘Culture’; and social worker T. Sivaraj of the Uravu Indigenous Science & Technology Study Centre spoke on ‘Crafts’.
Mananthavady MLA Usha Vijayan, Kerala Tourism Additional Director (General) Sumit Kumar Thakur, Vythiri panchayat president C. V. Rajan, vice-president Valsala Sadanandan and ward member Sini George attended the inaugural function.
UNI DS
Tags: #Kerala Tourism Minister launches ‘Brand Wayanad’ initiative
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