Thiruvananthapuram, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kerala is set to give Wayanad a new tourism identity with the state government scheduled to unveil its ‘Brand Wayanad’ project on Tuesday, aiming to position the hill district as a distinctive global destination built around nature, culture, agriculture and local communities.
Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh will unveil the initiative at Vythiri Village Resort, with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique presiding over the event. The project has been included in the V.D. Satheesan government’s 100-Day Action Programme.
The initiative also reflects the tourism vision advocated by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, who has been calling for better infrastructure and wider promotion of the district’s natural, cultural and adventure potential. Her predecessor, Rahul Gandhi, had similarly highlighted Wayanad’s tourism possibilities and its potential to create livelihoods for local communities.
‘Brand Wayanad’ seeks to move beyond the conventional image of Wayanad as merely a hill station. The government plans to develop a tourism ecosystem centred on experiences such as coffee plantations, local cuisine, agricultural life, tribal heritage, rural experiences and the district’s distinctive landscape.
Responsible tourism will form a key part of the initiative, including modernisation of homestays and efforts to establish Wayanad as a safe and sustainable international destination.
Local products will also be integrated into the tourism experience, with Wayanad coffee, spices, traditional rice varieties and honey receiving greater prominence. GI-tagged Wayanad Robusta coffee will be promoted internationally through a “farm-to-cup” model.
The government also plans to expand the En Ooru heritage village to showcase indigenous tribal culture. A Tribal University and Heritage Knowledge Centre will be established at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
Other components include a Wayanad CSR Exchange, an e-waste-free campaign and increased corporate participation in the district’s development.
The broader objective is to make Wayanad’s landscape, people, produce, culture and way of life central to its tourism identity, while ensuring that the expansion of tourism translates into better-managed destinations and higher incomes for local communities.
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