Kerala focusses on adventure tourism with series of international events

Paragliding, surfing & cycling competitions slated

Kerala Tourism is set to host a series of international adventure sports events including paragliding, surfing and cycling in early 2025, aiming to position the state as a premier destination for adventure tourism.

Kerala Tourism has announced that it is all set to host international surfing, paragliding and mountain cycling championships in February-March, 2025 with the aim to position as a leading global adventure tourism destination.

In a press statement, the tourism board states that the International Surfing Festival will be held at Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district on February 27 and 28, the International Paragliding Festival at Vagamon in Idukki from March 19 to 23 and Mountain Terrain Biking Championship (MTB Kerala 2025) on March 28 and 30 at Manathawady in Wayanad.

“As a leading adventure sports destination, these events firmly mark Kerala on the global adventure tourism map, thereby attracting tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts, giving a further impetus to the long-term growth of tourism industry,” says P A Mohamed Riyas, Kerala Tourism Minister.

According to the statement, the events are being organised by Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) under the Tourism Department, in association with the District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPCs).

During the International Surfing Festival, Surfers from different parts of the country will vie for honours in various categories such as SUP Technical Race, Paddle Board Technical Race and SUP Surfing. Technical support for the event is extended by Surfing Federation of India and International Surfing Association (ISA).

The International Paragliding Festival, India’s biggest aero sports event, to be held at the picturesque backdrop of Vagamon, will have around 75 gliders vying for honours, of whom 40 will be from 25 countries including France, Italy, US, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Belgium, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, Peru, Czech Republic, Norway and Canada, and the rest from Indian states like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

The statement adds that the highlight of the fest will be the competition for Vagamon International Accuracy Cup 2025 featuring the best paragliding pilots from world over, which will be the first Top Landing event in the world.

The paragliding event will be helmed by KATPS in association with DTPC, Idukki. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), Aero Club of India, and Orange Life Paragliding School, India will provide technical support to the event.

For the eighth edition of the International Mountain Cycling Championship (MTB Kerala 2025), cyclists from 25 countries are expected to participate. The event will also feature amateur competitions of cyclists from India. The major attraction of the event is the Cross-Country cycling in which cyclists have to negotiate the muddy, rocky and puddled terrains. The event will be organised by KATPS in collaboration with DTPC Wayanad and Cycling Federation of India (CFI).

Hospitality training programme to enhance skills

The statement adds that KATPS in association with Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) will be conducting a training programme to increase workforce in the adventure tourism sector, in the wake of increasing relevance of this segment in tourism.

Training will be in Adventure Activity Assistant (seven days), Adventure Activity Supervisory (eight days) and Nature Interpreter (eight days) categories. The first batch of 25 candidates will commence their training at Thenmala in January, followed by others in Wayand and Idukki.

According to the statement, KITTS will also be conducting a Front Office Associate course in hospitality sector for free of cost, under the Central government’s ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ project. Those who are above 18 years and have passed Class 12 can apply.