Wayanad welcomes Monsoon tourists with a Splash'

KALPETTA: Splash, the Wayanad Monsoon Carnival, took to a start here on Saturday at the Flower Show Ground. “The carnival launched in 2009 has proved a big success in showcasing and promoting the destination,” said C.K.  Saseendran MLA, who flagged off the annual event. He also lauded the role of Wayanad Tourism Organization (WTO) in promoting responsible tourism in the ecologically fragile district to the benefit of the local community.

Singers MG Sreekumar and Vaikom Vijayalakshmi and actor Vinayakan and others entertained the gathering with their performance. “There are many tourism related events for the coming days,” said C.P. Sailesh of WTO.  "They include competitions in cycling, tug-of-war, mud football, monsoon marathon and 4X4 off-roading."This year the focus is on a business-to-business meet in which more than 400 delegates from across the state participate. “They, including tourism officials, travel operators and travel writers, would visit tourist spots and accommodations here,” he said.

Organised by the WTO in association with tourism department and District Tourism Promotion Council, the nine-day event would conclude on July 9.  Minister for tourism Kadakampally Surendran would inaugurate the valedictory function and tourism secretary Dr Venu V. would deliver the keynote address. This year's programmes are organised to ensure maximum participation of agrarian as well as ethnic communities, they said.