Kozhikode: The second edition of the Mathrubhumi Tourism Conclave will be held on October 1, 2026, at The Raviz Kadavu, Calicut, bringing together tourism stakeholders and industry experts to explore new opportunities for tourism development in the Malabar region.

The conclave, organised by Mathrubhumi, will focus on the tourism potential stretching from Kasaragod to Ponnani, with discussions covering a wide range of emerging tourism segments, including wildlife, wellness, adventure, beaches, food and destination weddings.

Focus on Malabar’s Untapped Tourism Potential

Malabar has a diverse tourism portfolio encompassing beaches, hills, forests, rivers, heritage sites, traditional cuisine and cultural experiences. The Tourism Conclave aims to bring these attractions into greater focus and explore ways to develop them into commercially viable and sustainable tourism products.

The event will provide a platform for tourism professionals, destination managers, hospitality businesses and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the region.

The first edition of the conclave, held in August 2025, received a strong response from the tourism industry. The 2026 edition is expected to build on that platform by examining new opportunities across northern Kerala. 

Wildlife, Wellness and Adventure Tourism

Among the key areas expected to receive attention are wildlife and nature tourism, wellness tourism and adventure tourism.

Malabar has considerable potential in these segments, with destinations offering opportunities for trekking, kayaking, river-based activities, nature experiences and community-oriented tourism. The region's relatively diverse landscape allows tourism products to be developed around both the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea coast.

The development of experiential and responsible tourism could also help distribute tourism benefits among local communities and smaller tourism businesses.

Destination Weddings and Food Tourism

The conclave will also highlight emerging opportunities in destination weddings and culinary tourism.

Malabar's beaches, heritage properties and scenic locations offer potential for destination weddings, while the region's distinctive cuisine—including Malabar biryani, seafood and traditional snacks—provides a strong foundation for culinary tourism.

Prominent wedding planners and tourism industry experts are expected to participate in discussions on how Malabar can develop itself as a destination for weddings and associated events. 

Industry and Government Collaboration

A key objective of the conclave is to facilitate dialogue between the tourism industry and government and identify measures that could accelerate tourism development in northern Kerala.

Recommendations emerging from the discussions are expected to be submitted to the Kerala Government for consideration. 

The event is being supported by the Kerala Tourism Department, with Malabar Gold & Diamonds as the main sponsor and FICCI as the technical partner. 

Strengthening Malabar as a Tourism Destination

The conclave comes at a time when Kerala is seeking to diversify its tourism offerings and promote destinations beyond the state's traditional tourism centres.

From the beaches of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod to the hills and forests of Wayanad and northern Kerala, Malabar offers a combination of natural, cultural and culinary attractions.

The Mathrubhumi Tourism Conclave 2026 is expected to provide an important platform for discussing how these assets can be developed, marketed and connected to create new tourism circuits.

With industry experts, tourism businesses and destination stakeholders coming together at The Raviz Kadavu on October 1, the event is set to put the tourism opportunities of Malabar in the spotlight and explore new avenues for investment, partnerships and sustainable tourism growth.