Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt on Tuesday launched a new experiential tourism initiative, ‘Be a Malayali for a Day,’ aimed at giving visitors a direct taste of the state’s identity and culture. Tourism minister P C Vishnunadh said the idea marks a shift from the traditional invitation to ‘come see Kerala’ toward a more immersive call to ‘come experience Kerala.’“The project is designed so that tourists do more than just observe. Instead, they will be able to take part in Malayali life firsthand — creating floral carpets for Onam, preparing the festive Onam feast with families, and learning the basics of traditional art forms from veteran artistes,” he said in a statement.He added that plans are under way for each district to develop its own cultural tourism brand, while local festivals and art traditions will be linked to the international tourism calendar.The minister said govt will give special priority to scientifically documenting and preserving Kerala’s unique heritage art forms and making them accessible worldwide through digital platforms.He stressed that the state’s heritage is not something to be locked away in museums, but something to be passed on to future generations. The goal, he said, is both to draw young people toward traditional arts and to bring Kerala’s cultural legacy greater global recognition through digitisation.This year’s Onam Week celebrations have been organised not merely as a string of events, but as a major cultural collective showcasing the state’s heritage where visitors can also try out different art and musical forms.The minister said govt views tourism not only in terms of the number of visitors, but also as an economic model that can improve the livelihoods of artists and strengthen local enterprises. He added that the week-long celebration is guided by a long-term vision: not simply to host a seven-day festival, but to turn Kerala’s cultural heritage into a driving force for the state’s economic growth.
