Kerala’s RT Mission to host mega are & craft fair at BeyporeWater Fest starting today

Planned as an upfront initiative, the event will have discussions and workshops on preser the craft traditions and leveraging them for promotion of tourism. The Responsible Tourist and Textile Art Festival is a part of the third edition of Beypore International Water Festival (BIWF) to be inaugurated today by Kerala’s Tourism Minister. Kerala Tourism is hosting an event during the third edition of Beypore International Water Festival (BIWF) to spotlight the country’s diverse handicraft heritage, aligning with the state's push for sustainable and inclusive tourism. The Responsible Tourism and Textile Art Festival, to be inaugurated by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, will run until December 30. It's a showcase of art and craft traditions spanning 17 Indian states, featuring pottery, weaving, dress-making, and more—cherished skills passed down through generations. Organised by Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission, the festival not only highlights Kerala's esteemed handloom industry but also offers live demonstrations where artisans from various states display their crafts, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation. “The craft festival has been conceived as an added feature to the Beypore international water festival when the ancient port town of Malabar is all set to emerge as a global tourism hub,” Riyas noted. “Leveraging the fabulous handloom, handicraft, agricultural and cuisine traditions of different states of the country is important for responsible and sustainable tourism promotion. Apart from displaying a wide variety of textile traditions, the festival will have live demonstrations of the art and craft,” added RT Mission State Coordinator K. Rupeshkumar. These include pictorial embossment, dyeing, textile printing, making of decorative clothes like tapestries and display of different types of handlooms and spinning equipment used by craftspeople from various states and sub-regions. The expo will also have a wide range of items on sale: tourist souvenirs and agricultural as well as food products from various units of the State RT Mission — at affordable prices. Planned as an upfront initiative, the event will have conversations and workshops on preserving the craft A section on Kerala’s agricultural products at the expo, planned in association with Agrifarm Tourism Network units, will showcase an assortment of organic food products and spices, besides promoting the Village Experience packages from different districts. According to an official update, the entire spectrum of travel and tourism stakeholders including HATS, women RT clubs and adventure tourism agencies have extended their support to the event. Today also marks the inauguration of the highly anticipated Beypore International Water Festival (BIWF) by the Tourism Minister Riyas. This event is poised to attract global attention with its lineup of competitive water sports featuring participants from various countries, enhancing its BIWF, organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the District Administration and District Tourism Promotion Council, strategically unfolds across prime locations like Beypore Marina Beach, Chaliyam Beach on the Chaliyar River banks, Nallur, and Beypore Port. The festival extends its reach to key spots like Kozhikode Beach, strategically aiming to draw both local and international business interest. The festival launch commences with a bicycle rally from Kozhikode Beach to Beypore Beach at 7 am on December 26. It will also feature an array of cultural showcases, a sizable food festival, engaging adventure sports activities, and exclusive access to Navy and Coast Guard vessels. The event roster boasts an international kite fest engaging participants from five countries, dinghy boat races, flyboard demonstrations, surf ski displays, flea markets, paramotoring, sailing regattas, and net throwing, among other activities.