Rainspotting in Kerala: Wayanad to resume 'Splash' monsoon carnival this year

Wayanad: The tourism fraternity of Wayanad is all set to celebrate Splash - the ‘Wayanad Monsoon Carnival’ - this year after a 3-year pandemic break. Launched in 2009 to vitalise the district's tourism industry during the otherwise dull season of monsoon, the carnival through its ten editions in the past has proved a booster, reinventing the aesthetic as well as activity-based strengths of monsoon rains and tapping its maximum potential.

The eight-day event would begin on July 8 while the 'Business to Business' (B2B) meet would be held on July 10 and July 11.

Organised by the Wayanad Tourism Organisation, a platform of the majority tourism stakeholders of Wayanad, the venture is supported by the Government of Kerala, the Department of Tourism, and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). Throughout its more-than-a-decade-long presence, the carnival has not only transformed the otherwise dull and monotonous season of monsoon but also successfully weaved in intimate linkages between the local population and the tourism industry.

The three-decade-old tourism industry of Wayanad used to be dormant in the past during the monsoon, as only a few tourists ventured into the rain drenched hillocks, plantations, labyrinthine mountain trekking paths and other destinations. However, the rain carnival gradually saw an increase in the number of tourists, according to industry players.

Splash coordinator K R Vancheeswaran told Onmanorama that all three regular segments - outdoor programmes, cultural events, and business meets - would be part of the event. “We have received roughly close to 1,500 registrations of delegates for this year so far,” he said, adding that with the high number of delegates, the ‘Business to Business Meet’ (B2B) would be extended to two days this year instead of one.

“There would be sessions on 'how to attract more responsible tourists into the destination, how to generate more income from tourism for the local people', alongside sessions on healthy tourism practices, held in connection with the event,” he said.

Mr Vancheeswaran said that there is an emerging clientele for properties in the district that promote local communities and are more people inclusive. Another highlight of the event is the marathon organised in association with Indian Olympic Association apart from the usual cycle rides in the rain to various destinations, trekking through plantation walkways, participation in agrarian rituals and games, and also having a taste of cultural programmes.

However, it seems, this year the rain gods are hesitant to bless the district with copious showers. Wayanad is one of the districts that received the lowest rainfall this season so far.

In the 'Business to Business Meet' the delegates can interact with resorts, plantation getaways, homestays, hotels, Ayurveda Resorts, adventure tourism operators, tour operators and so on.

"Apart from organising rural sports and games, the event ensures the promotion of monsoon tourism by bringing a host of stakeholders in the global industry including travel agents, travel writers, bloggers, artists and policymakers to the district. The travel agents can pay a visit to the properties and can enter long-term and short-term business tie-ups with them," said Shylesh C P, secretary, WTO.

“We used to conduct special seasonal as well as agrarian sports and games like mud football, catching the crab, hitting the pot and also popular events like a marathon, cycling competition, 4x4 jeep race, as part of the event. “Trekking programmes to far-flung locales from where one can enjoy the beauty of rain also are on the cards,” he said.

Though there were attempts to convert Splash into a calendar event of the global tourism industry, the unexpected onset of the pandemic threw the spanner into the efforts, it was pointed out.

Post pandemic tourist rush
Like all other tourism destinations which witnessed heavy rush post COVID, Wayanad saw the highest number of footfalls in the last few months. During the summer vacation season that ended in May, it was tough for tourists to find a stay if they had failed to pre-book rooms. The tourism properties that were wading through a tough financial crisis during the pandemic made a killing by charging much higher tariffs.

Though summer rains used to begin to lash in March end every year which continue to intensify by May, the district this year is yet to receive the oft-copious rainfall. Both Southwest Monsoon (June to August) and Northeast Monsoon, the retreating monsoon (October to November), have regularly hit the district with good rains. Last season (2022) the district received surplus rain (1,557 mm) spreading over 9 months.