KUMARAKOM, KERALA: Kerala Tourism is placing increasing emphasis on experiential travel, encouraging visitors to participate in the state’s culture, traditions, food and local way of life rather than limiting their holidays to conventional sightseeing.

The approach is receiving particular attention during the ongoing Onam Tourism Week 2026, being held from August 24 to 30 across Kerala. The week-long programme is designed to showcase Kerala’s cultural heritage through traditional art forms, community events, exhibitions and opportunities for visitors to experience local customs more closely.

For destinations such as Kumarakom, the experiential tourism approach offers significant potential. The village and its surrounding Vembanad backwaters already provide visitors with opportunities to experience Kerala beyond its conventional attractions. Houseboat cruises, canoe journeys through narrow waterways, village walks, traditional cuisine and interactions with local communities can form part of a more immersive holiday experience.

The growing interest in experiential tourism also reflects a wider shift in traveller preferences. Visitors are increasingly looking for activities that allow them to understand a destination through its people, traditions, food and natural environment. Rather than simply photographing a destination, travellers are seeking opportunities to participate in local experiences and take home memories connected to the culture and lifestyle of the place.

Onam provides an especially strong platform for this approach. Kerala Tourism is encouraging visitors to participate in activities such as creating colourful pookalams, enjoying traditional Onasadya served on banana leaves and experiencing cultural performances including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Pulikali and Thiruvathira.

Water-based tourism can play an important role in this evolving tourism model. Kerala’s extensive network of backwaters, rivers and canals provides opportunities for slow travel and community-based experiences. Kumarakom, with its network of waterways and traditional village surroundings, is well placed to offer visitors experiences that combine nature, local culture and leisure.

The renewed focus on experiential tourism could also encourage tourism businesses to develop more locally connected products. Small-group canoe trips, village experiences, traditional cooking sessions, local food trails, fishing experiences and cultural activities can complement established houseboat tourism while giving visitors a closer connection with the destination.

Kerala Tourism’s current approach also aligns with the state’s broader emphasis on responsible and community-oriented tourism. Earlier Onam celebrations have highlighted village tourism and community participation as important elements of Kerala’s tourism identity.

As Kerala continues to position itself as a destination offering meaningful travel experiences, Kumarakom’s backwaters and village life provide a natural setting for this emerging tourism trend. The emphasis is increasingly shifting from simply seeing Kerala to experiencing Kerala.