In Lakshadweep, comprising a total of 36 islands, including ten inhabited ones, the administration has recently proposed additional tourism projects.
Government-led tourism activities, managed by SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports), include the iconic Paradise Island huts. A new proposal under the Smart City initiative aims to introduce a 90-room hotel.
In the private sector, India’s first water villa project, initiated by an Indian group, stands out as a major endeavor. The archipelago gained attention for its natural beauty, particularly after Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit.
On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an ‘exhilarating experience’ of him trying his hand at snorkelling.
Several Indian celebrities have strongly criticized derogatory remarks by Maldivian leaders against India and expressed support for promoting Indian beach tourism . This comes amid the row over derogatory and ‘anti-India’ remarks made by Maldives minister, leaders and other public figures after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the union territory of Lakshadweep.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”Former Member of Parliament from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, condemned the unjust criticism from Maldivian ministers.
“Recently, Prime Minister Modi visited Lakshadweep, an island located far from the Maldives. During Congress’s era, despite being represented by the Prime Minister and Speaker, the region saw limited development. PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep highlighted the potential for tourism development. What the ministers of our neighbouring country, the Maldives, said about PM Modi is not correct. This led to the suspension of three Maldivian ministers by the President. By uttering these words, plenty of damage has been done to your country’s tourism. Consequently, negative opinions about Modi are impacting tourism. People are cancelling their tickets. Today, people across India, including film stars, cricket players, and other patriotic individuals, are not expressing positive opinions about you in the media. I also oppose these actions. In the future, with Modi’s efforts, Lakshadweep is going to become a tourist destination surpassing even the Maldives” he said.
This surge in tourism development signals an exciting phase for Lakshadweep’s travel landscape.
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Kerala Tourism is hosting an event during the third edition of Beypore International Water Festival (BIWF) to spotlight the country’s diverse handicraft heritage, aligning with the state’s push for sustainable and inclusive tourism.
The Responsible Tourism and Textile Art Festival, to be inaugurated by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, will run until December 30. It’s a showcase of art and craft traditions spanning 17 Indian states, featuring pottery, weaving, dress-making, and more—cherished skills passed down through generations.
Organised by Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission, the festival not only highlights Kerala’s esteemed handloom industry but also offers live demonstrations where artisans from various states display their crafts, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.
“The craft festival has been conceived as an added feature to the Beypore international water festival when the ancient port town of Malabar is all set to emerge as a global tourism hub,” Riyas noted.
“Leveraging the fabulous handloom, handicraft, agricultural and cuisine traditions of different states of the country is important for responsible and sustainable tourism promotion. Apart from displaying a wide variety of textile traditions, the festival will have live demonstrations of the art and craft,” added RT Mission State Coordinator K. Rupeshkumar.
These include pictorial embossment, dyeing, textile printing, making of decorative clothes like tapestries and display of different types of handlooms and spinning equipment used by craftspeople from various states and sub-regions.
The expo will also have a wide range of items on sale: tourist souvenirs and agricultural as well as food products from various units of the State RT Mission — at affordable prices. Planned as an upfront initiative, the event will have conversations and workshops on preserving the craft traditions and leveraging them for promotion of tourism which will benefit the local communities, Rupeshkumar said.
While the Homestay and Caravan Tourism Policies have taken centre stage already, the state government is gearing up for the introduction of additional policies such as agro-eco tourism, wellness, and adventure, focusing on attracting investments while ensuring transparency and regulation in the tourism landscape. The Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C and Printing and Stationary, Rohan Khaunte shared all and more with ETTravelWorld. Read here.
A section on Kerala’s agricultural products at the expo, planned in association with Agrifarm Tourism Network units, will showcase an assortment of organic food products and spices, besides promoting the Village Experience packages from different districts. According to an official update, the entire spectrum of travel and tourism stakeholders including HATS, women RT clubs and adventure tourism agencies have extended their support to the event. Today also marks the inauguration of the highly anticipated Beypore International Water Festival (BIWF) by the Tourism Minister Riyas. This event is poised to attract global attention with its lineup of competitive water sports featuring participants from various countries, enhancing its international appeal.
Joining this festival are representatives from states such as Tamil Nadu, Assam, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Puducherry, Odisha, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, amplifying the diversity and scale of this gathering.
BIWF, organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the District Administration and District Tourism Promotion Council, strategically unfolds across prime locations like Beypore Marina Beach, Chaliyam Beach on the Chaliyar River banks, Nallur, and Beypore Port. The festival extends its reach to key spots like Kozhikode Beach, strategically aiming to draw both local and international business interest.
The festival launch commences with a bicycle rally from Kozhikode Beach to Beypore Beach at 7 am on December 26. It will also feature an array of cultural showcases, a sizable food festival, engaging adventure sports activities, and exclusive access to Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
The event roster boasts an international kite fest engaging participants from five countries, dinghy boat races, flyboard demonstrations, surf ski displays, flea markets, paramotoring, sailing regattas, and net throwing, among other activities.
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