Tourism News

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

First in the Country: Kerala makes Registration a must for Adventure Tourism Activities

For the first time in the country, Kerala has made registration mandatory for service providers in the Adventure Tourism sector for conducting land-, water- and air-related activities to ensure their quality and safety. The procedures and protocols of Adventure Tourism Safety and Security Regulations for according registration to operators were drawn up by Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), which functions under the Department of Tourism.

KAPTS had set up an expert committee to prepare safety parameters for Adventure Tourism. The panel, led by former KATPS Chief Executive Officer, the late Manesh Bhaskar, had prepared ‘Adventure Tourism Safety and Security Regulations’ by taking into account 31 popular adventure-tourism activities in Kerala. 

The Tourism Director Mr. V. R. Krishna Teja said Kerala considered adventure tourism as a highly promising segment, especially in the post-pandemic surge. “By introducing the registration system, foolproof safety and standard will be put in place in the sector, which will help Kerala attract more tourists to this sector with utmost confidence,” he said.

Registration will be provided only on the criteria stipulated by the regulations. A team of tourism officials and experts will inspect the facilities and operational features of the service providers. Based on this evaluation, the Tourism Director will accord registration that is valid for two years.
             
Kovalam-based Bond Water Sports Pvt. Ltd. has become the first adventure tourism activity provider in the state to obtain registration under the new system for its activities such as scuba diving, kayaking and parasailing.

The regulations will be updated in accordance with the new adventure activities that crop up in the sector in future. Details of the registration system are available on https://www.keralaadventure.org. 

The captivating landscape of Kerala, dotted with hilltops, forests, and crisscrossed by rivers and backwaters and also a 580 km-long coastline, makes the state a conducive place for adventure tourism. Trekking, camping, rock climbing, wildlife safaris, bird watching, cycling, water sports, off-road jaunts and paragliding are some of the popular adventure activities in Kerala.