Yaanam 2025 Festival Highlights Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Concerns
The travel literary festival Yaanam 2025 concluded in Varkala, Kerala, with a performance by musician Prakash Sontakke. The three-day event focused on the theme "Celebrating Words and Wanderlust," featuring discussions led by prominent travel writers, vloggers, and social media influencers who emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism development.
Former Chief Secretary Venu V. highlighted that tourism and knowledge-based services are crucial for Kerala's economic growth. He noted the state's success in attracting investments and increasing visitor numbers through effective marketing campaigns. Venu also mentioned Kerala's emerging reputation as a destination for weddings despite competition from other locations.
Wildlife photographer Balan Madhavan addressed concerns regarding ecotourism, stating that increased visitor traffic to protected areas is impacting their ecosystems. He called for improved standards in ecotourism practices.
Expeditionary cyclist Dhruv Bogra shared insights on overcoming fears while exploring challenging terrains during his extensive cycling journey from the Arctic to the Andes. Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue urged tourists to be mindful of local cultures and communities, expressing concern over how mass tourism disrupts traditional livelihoods in regions like the Himalayas.
The festival aimed to foster dialogue around responsible travel practices while celebrating literature related to exploration and adventure.
Original article (varkala) (kerala) (ecotourism)
Real Value Analysis
The article about the Yaanam 2025 travel literary festival provides some insights but lacks actionable information for readers. While it discusses themes like sustainable tourism and responsible travel, it does not offer specific steps or resources that individuals can use right now to make a difference in their own travel practices. There are no clear instructions, safety tips, or tools mentioned that would empower readers to take immediate action.
In terms of educational depth, the article touches on various topics related to tourism and its impact on local cultures and ecosystems. However, it does not delve deeply into the causes or systems behind these issues. For instance, while it mentions concerns about ecotourism affecting protected areas, it fails to explain how these impacts occur or what specific practices could mitigate them. This lack of depth means that readers do not gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding sustainable tourism.
The topic is personally relevant as many people engage in travel and may be interested in how their actions affect local communities and environments. However, without actionable advice or deeper insights into responsible travel practices, the article does not significantly change how readers might approach their future travels.
Regarding public service functions, the article does not provide any official warnings or safety advice that could help the public directly. It mainly serves as a report on an event rather than offering guidance or resources for travelers.
The practicality of any advice is minimal since there are no clear tips provided for readers to follow. The discussions at the festival are interesting but do not translate into realistic actions that individuals can take.
In terms of long-term impact, while promoting responsible travel is important, this article lacks concrete ideas or actions that would lead to lasting positive effects on tourism practices.
Emotionally, while some aspects may inspire hope regarding sustainable tourism discussions at events like this festival, there is little content aimed at empowering readers to feel capable of making changes themselves.
Lastly, there are no signs of clickbait language; however, the article misses opportunities to teach more effectively by providing examples of best practices in sustainable tourism or suggesting where individuals can learn more about responsible travel options.
To improve this piece's value for readers seeking practical guidance on sustainable travel practices, it could include links to organizations focused on ecotourism standards or provide examples of successful initiatives worldwide. Additionally, recommending books by featured authors from the festival could enhance personal learning opportunities related to responsible traveling habits.
Bias analysis
The text uses the phrase "Celebrating Words and Wanderlust" as the theme of the festival. This wording creates a positive and romantic image of travel, which may lead readers to feel excited about tourism without considering its negative impacts. By focusing on celebration, it downplays any potential issues related to tourism, like environmental harm or cultural disruption. This choice of words can mislead readers into believing that all aspects of travel are beneficial.
When Venu V. talks about Kerala's economic growth due to tourism and knowledge-based services, he states that these sectors are "crucial." This strong word choice suggests that tourism is not just important but essential for the state's economy. It emphasizes a one-sided view that prioritizes economic benefits over possible negative consequences of increased tourism, such as environmental degradation or local community disruptions.
Balan Madhavan mentions concerns about ecotourism impacting ecosystems due to increased visitor traffic. However, this statement does not provide specific examples or data to support his claim. The lack of evidence might lead readers to question the validity of his concerns while also framing him as an alarmist without fully explaining the complexities involved in ecotourism practices.
Tenzin Tsundue urges tourists to be mindful of local cultures and communities but does not elaborate on how mass tourism disrupts traditional livelihoods in regions like the Himalayas. This omission could create a simplistic view that overlooks deeper issues faced by these communities due to tourism pressures. By not providing details or examples, it risks making his point seem less significant than it may actually be.
The festival's aim is described as fostering dialogue around responsible travel practices while celebrating literature related to exploration and adventure. This phrasing implies a balanced approach but does not mention any opposing views on how literature might romanticize travel without addressing its downsides. The language used here can give readers a false sense that all discussions at the festival were fair and comprehensive when they may have favored certain perspectives over others.
Dhruv Bogra shares insights on overcoming fears during his cycling journey from "the Arctic to the Andes." While this sounds adventurous and inspiring, it glosses over potential dangers associated with such extreme travels. The way this is presented could mislead readers into thinking that such journeys are always safe or easy when they often involve significant risks and challenges.
The text highlights Kerala's success in attracting investments through effective marketing campaigns without mentioning any negative impacts those investments might have had on local communities or environments. This one-sided portrayal promotes an overly positive image of tourism development while ignoring potential downsides like displacement or ecological damage caused by new projects aimed at increasing visitor numbers.
Emotion Resonance Analysis
The text surrounding the travel literary festival Yaanam 2025 conveys a range of emotions that enhance its message about tourism and literature. One prominent emotion is pride, particularly evident in the remarks made by former Chief Secretary Venu V. His emphasis on Kerala's success in attracting investments and increasing visitor numbers reflects a strong sense of accomplishment. This pride serves to inspire confidence in the state's tourism potential, encouraging readers to view Kerala as a thriving destination for both leisure and business.
Another significant emotion is concern, articulated through wildlife photographer Balan Madhavan’s comments about ecotourism. He highlights the negative impact of increased visitor traffic on protected ecosystems, which evokes worry about environmental degradation. This concern is crucial as it aims to raise awareness among readers regarding sustainable practices in tourism, prompting them to think critically about their travel choices and their effects on nature.
Fear emerges through expeditionary cyclist Dhruv Bogra’s insights into overcoming challenges while exploring difficult terrains. His experiences resonate with those who may feel apprehensive about adventure travel, yet his narrative transforms fear into motivation by showcasing resilience and determination. This emotional transition encourages readers to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them, fostering a spirit of adventure.
Additionally, Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue expresses sadness over how mass tourism disrupts traditional livelihoods in regions like the Himalayas. His plea for mindfulness towards local cultures evokes empathy from readers, urging them to consider the broader implications of their travel habits on communities they visit. This emotional appeal serves to create sympathy for those affected by tourism's adverse effects.
The combination of these emotions—pride, concern, fear, and sadness—guides readers' reactions by encouraging them to reflect on their own roles within the context of travel and sustainability. The writer effectively uses emotionally charged language that emphasizes these feelings rather than neutral terms; phrases like "impacting ecosystems" or "disrupts traditional livelihoods" carry weight that compels readers to engage with the issues presented.
Moreover, rhetorical tools such as personal stories from speakers at the festival help humanize abstract concepts related to tourism and conservation. By sharing individual experiences—like Bogra's cycling journey or Madhavan's photography work—the text connects emotionally with readers while illustrating larger themes around exploration and responsibility.
In summary, the emotional landscape crafted within this text not only informs but also persuades readers toward greater awareness and action regarding responsible travel practices. By invoking feelings such as pride in local achievements alongside concerns for environmental sustainability and cultural integrity, the writer effectively steers public opinion toward more conscientious approaches to tourism.

