Keralam has emerged as a major adventure tourism destination, overtaking Goa as a hub for adventure-based travel, as the state’s geographical diversity offers a broad spectrum of activities, according to Binu Kuriakose, CEO, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS).
“Goa used to be the hub of adventure tourism. Now Kerala has overtaken Goa. People now equate Keralam with adventure tourism,” Kuriakose said at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026.
He said Keralam’s geographical diversity gives it an advantage in developing a broad spectrum of adventure tourism products, spanning land, water and air-based activities.
The integration of adventure activities with Keralam’s natural landscapes has given the state an opportunity to position itself as a multi-product adventure destination, combining mountains, rivers, beaches and skies within a single tourism proposition.
“Adventure tourism is closely tied to the ways of human life since ancient times, as forest-dweller and struggling with the elements of nature. Kerala is blessed with the Western Ghats ecosystem, which is ideal for trekking. The state also has 44 rivers, numerous water bodies and dams suitable for water sports, besides a 600-km-long coastline,” he said.
Binu Kuriakose said KATPS was formed in 2012 to promote adventure tourism and has since helped develop and promote destinations including Vagamon, Wayanad and Idukki for land-based activities, while beach destinations such as Kovalam, Varkala, Payyambalam, Kozhikode and Bekal have been developed for water-based activities. Paravoor in Kollam has emerged as a kayaking destination.
Safety has been a key focus of Kerala’s adventure tourism strategy. An expert committee was constituted under KATPS in 2017, leading to the formulation of adventure tourism safety guidelines. In 2019, Kerala became the first state in India to introduce comprehensive adventure tourism safety guidelines through a legislative framework, he said.
Under the framework, around 150 adventure tourism units across land, water and air-based activities have been brought under a registration system. The Tourism Department provides registration for two years after verifying compliance with the prescribed safety guidelines.
Binu Kuriakose said Kerala has also built international visibility for adventure tourism.
The Malabar River Festival, an international white-water kayaking championship, has had 12 editions and has emerged as a major event on the adventure tourism calendar. Last year, participants from 20 countries, including the US, Canada, France, Italy, Belgium and New Zealand, took part, he said.
The Tourism Department has also developed a Kayaking Training Centre at Pulikayam in Kozhikode, while events such as the International Paragliding Festival in Vagamon and the Mountain Terrain Biking Festival in Wayanad have added to Kerala’s adventure tourism portfolio.
Keralam has also hosted two editions of the International Paragliding Festival in Vagamon, including a top-landing competition conducted with the approval of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). In the competition, pilots take off and land at the same location.
Varkala, meanwhile, has hosted two editions of the International Surfing Festival, further strengthening Kerala’s positioning as a destination for adventure sports.
“Whereas only one activity, cycling, paragliding or another activity, can be done in some other states, Keralam is ideal for all activities. We are also holding events with international participation,” Kuriakose said.
However, weather and other natural conditions remain among the key challenges for the sector. Changes in wind conditions can affect paragliding, while tidal variations can influence surfing, he said.
“We ensure all these aspects and activities are strictly regulated with strict guidelines,” Kuriakose said.
Another challenge is the availability of trained manpower and specialised training institutions. KATPS has partnered with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) to develop skilled manpower for adventure tourism activities, he said.
The growing demand is also being driven by a shift in traveller preferences towards experiences rather than conventional sightseeing.
“People want to explore and experience the place. So they prefer adventure activities. People irrespective of age want to indulge in such activities,” said Midhun C. N., Inbound Manager, Kerala Destinations Company.
