Kakkadampoyil eyes tourist boom with master plan, travel market

The beautiful landscape of Kakkadampoyil attracts many foreign and domestic tourists despite the limited facilities. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

Kakkadampoyil is set to get a comprehensive tourism development plan, with Koodaranhi grama panchayat in Kozhikode and the adjoining Oorngattiri grama panchayat in Malappuram planning to coordinate efforts to develop the prominent hill station as a major tourist destination. The plan being discussed with the state government will seek to integrate infrastructure development, tourism promotion, environmental protection and local economic development into a common framework approved by the Ministry of Tourism. According to local administrators, the initiative is aimed at unlocking the tourism potential of Kakkadampoyil while preserving the natural landscape and biodiversity of the site.

“The well-organized two-day travel mart is the first plan in an effort to put the destination on the national and international tourism map. The event, which will be held in November in the presence of state ministers, is expected to bring together tour operators, travel agents, representatives of the hospitality sector, investors and tourism experts,” says Thiruvambady MLA CK Kasim. He adds that it will provide a platform for all to showcase the destination’s tourism potential and explore investment and business partnerships.

The preparation of the master plan is expected to highlight the tourism potential of Kakkadampoyil in a better way for rapid development | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

Inputs from entrepreneurs

According to Mr. Kasim, the proposed master plan with innovative projects such as Flower Valley and Ecotourism Center will also incorporate proposals from local tourism entrepreneurs operating under the Kakkadampoyil Tourism Organization. The concerns and demands of local investors and tourism operators will be taken into account when formulating the development framework, he adds.

A number of local investors and stakeholders have already started preliminary discussions on the proposed development and attended seminars recently organized by the tourism organization to clarify the plan. More interactive meetings are planned to allow them to better understand infrastructure gaps, tourism requirements and priorities identified by industry stakeholders.

A decisive role

“The proposed development assumes significance as the Kakkadampoyil tourism landscape extends across the jurisdictions of Koodaranhi and Oorngattiri panchayats. Local officials have already pledged their cooperation in this initiative,” says an official of the Kakkadampoyil Tourism Organization. He says local bodies will have to play a key role in the timely completion of various allied infrastructure development projects.

The Kakkadampoyil-Poovaaramthode road is among the major infrastructure projects expected to receive attention. Local body members from the tourist village say better connectivity is seen as essential to ease the movement of tourists, ensure safety in the hilly terrain and boost the growth of local tourism businesses.

“Ensuring that tourism contributes to the local economy is another important element of the proposed plan. Panchayats are looking for opportunities to create jobs and encourage local business so that residents can be more directly involved in the tourism economy,” says a local tourism entrepreneur from Koodaranhi who was part of the project planning. He points out that the proposed model is expected to improve the business of local accommodation providers and attract more foreign tourists to the village.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 17:26 IST