Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has opened up a big opportunity for startups to tap into the tourism potential of the state by utilising its underused land in prime locations in the state.
In an effort to diversify its revenue streams beyond water-related services, KWA is opening up expansive tracts of land across Kerala for tourism and entertainment projects.
A senior KWA official said KWA has decided to allocate its land situated in prime spots to startups to establish various tourism-based facilities, including theme parks, amusement parks, and other attractions. The initiative promises a win-win solution—boosting Kerala’s thriving tourism sector while providing KWA with alternative revenue streams from non-water-related activities.
“KWA has already partnered with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to select the startups for the project. One of the flagship projects under this initiative will be in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, where prime land owned by KWA will be repurposed for tourism-related ventures, transforming it into a hub of leisure and entertainment. This is an exciting opportunity for both KWA and budding entrepreneurs to collaborate and create unique business models without any investment on KWA’s part,” said the KWA officer.
“Our goal is not only to maximise the potential of our properties but also to contribute to Kerala’s tourism ecosystem,” the official added.
KWA will enter into a revenue-sharing model in collaboration with the selected startups. As per the official details, KWA will provide the necessary land while the startups will be responsible for all funding and investment. KWA will release the land for the project, but all development, including construction and setup, will be handled by the startups, which will also manage any hardware or IT components needed for the project, with KWA receiving appropriate access. KWA will oversee revenue collection via digital channels, with the startups receiving their share of revenue at regular intervals.
Industry experts said that the project is expected to draw significant interest from startups looking for cost-effective ways to break into the tourism market. “The availability of prime land, coupled with innovative ideas from startups, could give rise to world-class attractions that will boost footfall in the state,” said Thomas George, a tourism project consultant.
By unlocking non-traditional revenue streams, KWA aims to become a pioneer in public sector innovation, signalling a new approach to resource utilisation. Startups interested in the project should apply on or before November 1 by logging on to the Kerala Startup Mission website.
