Tourism News
Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Kerala Tourism Director Smt. Sikha Surendran, Freddie Hunt, and Deepak Narendran on stage during the trailer launch of Car and Country: Quest on May 6 at Hyatt Regency
Apple TV Series ‘Car and Country: Quest’ Puts Kerala on Global Streaming Map
Kerala’s international tourism push received a major boost with the Apple TV series Car and Country: Quest spotlighting the state in its newest season. A trailer showcasing Kerala’s picturesque landscapes, vibrant traditions and thrilling road adventures was launched on May 6 at the Hyatt Regency in Thiruvananthapuram.
Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, who inaugurated the event, described Kerala’s inclusion in the show as a proud milestone, marking the state as the first non-European destination to be featured in the acclaimed series. The show is now streaming in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and India, and will soon reach over 80 countries through various OTT platforms and international broadcasters.
Car and Country: Quest is a unique travel-adventure series blending high-speed road trips with cultural immersion. Produced by Branded Studios and directed by Charlotte Fantelli, the latest season takes viewers on exhilarating drives in Ferrari cars and Royal Enfield motorcycles across Kerala and Italy. Kerala’s segment features backwater journeys, traditional performances like Kathakali and Theyyam, and participation in events like snake boat races-blending adventure with authentic local experiences.
The six-part series includes two episodes each on Kerala, Italy and Ferrari, the world-renowned luxury car brand. It features racers and presenters like Freddie Hunt (son of F1 legend James Hunt), Matias Lauda (son of Niki Lauda), Ashique Thahir and show creator Deepak Narendran, who hails from Kerala.
Smt. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism, noted that the series captures not just Kerala’s scenery but also the essence of its people and traditions. Joseph Thomas Pottamkulam of Searchlight Productions described the collaboration as a celebration of Kerala’s evolving narrative as a global destination.
The show’s fusion of high-performance travel and cultural storytelling is expected to inspire a new wave of international tourists to explore Kerala. With its diverse appeal-from lush hill stations and tea estates to martial arts and traditional cuisine-the state is poised to reach a wider audience than ever before.
