Kozhikode: With the District administration and the DTPC not keen on supporting the Malabar River Festival this year, Thiruvambadi MLA George M Thomas and Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) Chief Executive Officer Asha Jose will meet with District Collector N Prasanth to persuade him to end the deadlock over the issue. It is learnt that the meeting is being held based on the direction from Tourism Minister A.C Moideen.
The Tourism department is very keen on the River Festival as it has drawn wide attention from across the world during the previous editions. However, lack of government funding and issues related to the payment of prize money and hospitality expenses by the district administration has forced Madras Fun Tools, the main organiser of the fest, to depend on crowd funding to meet the expenses of the next edition.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, MLA George M Thomas said that the River Fest would definitely boost the tourism potential of Thusharagiri. “We are meeting the Collector to discuss the present issue,” the MLA said. KATPS CEO Asha Jose said that the Tourism department saw a huge potential in the River Fest and scope and opportunities for the district were vast as far as adventure tourism was concerned.
“Adventure sports tourism is yet to take root in Kerala. Waterfalls in Kerala, especially at Thusharagiri, are best for any kind of adventure sports tourism activities. The geographical features of the place and the availability of water throughout the year make these places unique spots for it,” she added. The fourth edition of the River Festival scheduled to start from July 29 to 31 is featuring over 50 participants from across the globe.
