Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Kerala Tourism Launches “Be a Malayali for a Day” Initiative
Kerala Tourism has started a programme called “Be a Malayali for a Day.”
It invites visitors to experience local life instead of only looking at tourist attractions.
Tourists may make floral carpets called Athapookalams and learn how to cook Onam food.
They can also learn traditional art forms from experienced artists.
Each district may get its own cultural tourism identity.
The government wants to document and protect Kerala’s heritage using digital platforms.
Onam Week will include hundreds of performances by artists from Kerala and other states.
The plan is intended to support artists, local businesses and Kerala’s tourism economy.
It also hopes to help young people connect with the state’s culture.
The initiative will let tourists participate in local traditions, arts, food preparation and community activities.
Visitors can create Athapookalams, learn to prepare Onam meals and receive training in traditional art forms.
Kerala plans to develop a distinct cultural tourism identity for each district and promote local events globally.
Onam Week in Thiruvananthapuram will feature more than 340 programmes at about 35 venues, involving thousands of performers.
The programme builds on Kerala’s record 2,58,80,365 visitors from outside the state in 2025.
- Who
- Kerala Tourism, tourism officials, local communities and artists are involved; Tourism Minister Vishnunadh announced the initiative.
- What
- A “Be a Malayali for a Day” cultural tourism programme will allow visitors to participate in local traditions, food and arts.
- When
- The initiative was announced ahead of this year’s Onam Week; the article also cites tourism figures for 2025.
- Where
- Kerala, with Onam Week activities centred at about 35 venues in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- To shift tourism from sightseeing to cultural participation, support artists and local businesses, preserve heritage and promote sustainable economic growth.
- Programme
- “Be a Malayali for a Day”
- Visitor activities
- Athapookalam-making, Onam meal preparation and hands-on traditional arts training
- District branding
- Each Kerala district is planned to receive a distinct cultural tourism identity
- Onam Week venues
- About 35 venues in Thiruvananthapuram
- Onam Week programmes
- More than 340 art programmes
- Expected participation
- About 3,000 local artists and more than 8,000 performers from across Kerala
- 2025 visitors
- 2,58,80,365 visitors from outside Kerala, according to figures cited by former Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas