Explore Wayanad

Staff Reporter

Kozhikode: What brings Bill Gates, Mohanlal and Rajeev Chandrashekar to Wayanad? What brings Manoj Majeed, Shyam Prasad and Madhuri to Wayanad? Certainly the likes of the chief executive officer of one of the biggest software companies in the world, an actor par excellence and a young business magnate can be compared to the software professionals of Bangalore. If Kerala is god's own country, this plantation district can be called god's own garden.

And it is not just that. It is because of Wayanad that the National Geographic has included Kerala in its list of must-see 50 tourist destinations of the world.

Unmatched scenery

"No other district in the State has as diverse features in the tourism sector. I love its cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes, mysterious peaks and wildlife sanctuaries," says Manoj Majeed, working at Airtel in Bangalore.

Chips in his Kannadiga colleague Shyam Prasad, "Last month I was there with my friends. The next time, I am going with my family. I have never witnessed such superb hospitality."

Mindtree software engineer S. Sajeesh echoes the same feeling.

"Wayanad has an irresistible charm. Its enticing emerald woods and monuments can never been seen anywhere in the country," he says. Sajeesh is an ardent nature lover who never wants to miss a package tour during weekends to Wayanad.

"My friends from Rajsathan and Mumbai love the greenery and the wilderness. Even the salubrious breeze cools the mind," says Madhuri, attached to IBM.

Wayanad has become a romantic getaway for the young generation from Bangalore. "One of the reasons is the coming up of home-stays and resorts offering facilities matching the international standards," says K. Ravindran, secretary of the Wayanad Tourism Organisation nd owner of Pranavam Homestay and Farm House at Pozhuthana.

"The popularity of home-stays led to the spurt in soft tourism. Now, our biggest chunk of visitors is the young people from Bangalore and Mysore. Five hours from Bangalore you arrive at a paradise," he says.

Agreeing with is Victor B. Dey of Director of Tranquil-a Plantation Hideaway, at Kuppamudi Coffee Estate at Kolagappara and president of Wayanad Tourism Organisation.

"Why Wayanad is emerging in the global tourism map is because we have decided to market Wayanad as a whole and not our individual resorts. Here you can get a neat accommodation in the price ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 20,000," he says.

The 400-acre spice and coffee Tranquil, wrote international travel writers Hugh and Collen Gantzer, is a dream in Kerala. "Most of our guests are foreigners, mainly from the U.K., France, Switzerland and Germany, " he says.

Texas-based tourists Paul, Sonia, Anjoli and Mathew wrote of one of the five best Asian hideaway: "Birds, butterflies, anthuriums, cliff-hanger, terminator, music, friendship, the pool, the food, the company, Edakkal and above all peace." It has one more facility to boast of — a helipad.

Most of the resorts and home-stays have huts and tree-houses attached to them. Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tropical garden, Ayurvedic massage and specialised treatment centres, plantation tours and Internet access are other facilities provided to customers.

"Another advantage is that the climatic condition in Wayanad which is suited for Ayurvedic treatment throughout the year," says Biju Thomas, General Manager-Sales and Marketing, Haritagiri Hotel and Ayurvedic Village at Kalpetta.

"A slew of Ayurvedic packages comprising rejuvenation treatments, curative treatments, beauty and skin care, yoga and meditation and eye care for specific individual needs are offered to tourists. We are in the process of launching another resort at Vythiri with access to the highway," Mr. Thomas says.

Rich biodiversity

The rich biodiversity of this hilly district is another tourist attraction.

The Marmalade Springs near Muttil for example boasts of the presence of a rare marmalade fruit tree. A cave in the resort has been spruced up as a picnic spot.

Tourism in Wayanad has brought world-class recognition too.

In December, the Vythiri Resort was conferred the prestigious International Quality Crown Award in the gold category by the Madrid-based Business Initiative Directions (BID). The award was given to Vythiri Resort in recognition of commitment to quality, leadership, technology and innovation.

The BID awards are presented on the basis of meeting the criteria of quality management, the contents of which serve as guidelines to business leaders to improve processes and systems, according to Jose Kynadi, Vythiri Resort managing director, who received the award from Jose E. Prieto, president and chief executive officer of BID, in London.

Vythiri Resort is a rustic tribal theme resort spread over 150 acres in Wayand district.

It has 33 rooms, coffee shop, a la carte restaurant, conference facilities, boutique, serene spa, traditional Ayurveda health centre, children's play area, excursion, travel desk and many more.

Wayanad offers its sightseers a unique opportunity to get acquaintance to tribal life. Some of the oldest inhabitants are from these jungles. "You can visit their villages, taste their food and drinks, and watch their art forms, rituals and festivals. You will see life — as it was many generations ago." That is how many of you will narrate to your friends.

Source: The Hindu; By Staff Reporter, Kozhikode