Malabar River Festival, a white-water kayaking championship, is a major water sport event hosted by Keralam
Speaking at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026, Kuriakose highlighted how the state’s unique geography allows it to offer a complete mix of land, water and air-based activities.
Kochi: Keralam has overtaken Goa as India’s leading adventure tourism destination, driven by its diverse landscape and strict safety standards, according to Binu Kuriakose, CEO of the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS). Despite the progress, challenges remain. Unpredictable weather, shifting wind patterns and tidal shifts require constant monitoring. Additionally, the industry faces a shortage of trained manpower, which KATPS is addressing through training partnerships with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies. Industry experts note that growing demand is driven by a broader shift in travel preferences, with visitors of all ages increasingly favouring immersive experiences over traditional sightseeing.