Yaanam 2025 Sets Sail: India’s First Travel Lit Fest Debuts In Kerala

Celebrating journeys through stories

Kerala has made literary and tourism history by hosting the country’s first-ever travel literature festival—Yaanam 2025. Held at the scenic Varkala Cliff from October 17 to 19, the three-day event was inaugurated by Kerala Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas, who announced that the festival would become an annual affair.

Organized by Kerala Tourism, Yaanam 2025 brings together travel writers, journalists, vloggers, photographers, and artists from across the globe. The festival’s theme, “Celebrating Words and Wanderlust,” reflects its mission to blend storytelling with the spirit of exploration.

A platform for global voices

The festival features panel discussions, workshops, readings, and performances that explore the intersection of travel, culture, and literature. Notable participants include Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka, journalist Pallavi Aiyar, and Malayalam author K. R. Meera. The event also highlights Kerala’s diverse tourism offerings—from backwaters and beaches to heritage and cuisine.

Minister Riyas emphasized that Yaanam is more than a literary gathering—it’s a cultural movement that positions Kerala as a global hub for creative tourism and narrative exchange.

Key highlights from Yaanam 2025

- India’s first travel literature festival launched in Varkala, Kerala  
- Inaugurated by Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas on October 17, 2025  
- Festival to be held annually as a flagship tourism-literary event  
- Theme: “Celebrating Words and Wanderlust”  
- Features global travel writers, artists, and influencers  
- Events include storytelling sessions, workshops, and cultural showcases  
- Organized by Kerala Tourism to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism  
- Aims to spotlight Kerala’s cultural and natural diversity through narrative  

A new chapter in cultural tourism

Yaanam 2025 marks a significant step in Kerala’s efforts to integrate literature and tourism. By creating a space for storytellers and travelers to converge, the festival not only enriches the cultural landscape but also boosts Kerala’s global tourism appeal. With its annual recurrence, Yaanam is poised to become a landmark event on India’s literary calendar.

Sources: MSN, Indian Express, Kerala Tourism