Kottayam: As part of Onam celebrations, a village tourism project has been introduced across Kerala under the Responsible Tourism programme.

The plan is aimed to woo tourists to villages by offering sumptuous feast in village homes and attractive gifts, Tourism Minister Kadakampallly Surendran said at Thiruvananthapuram.

The packages, open till September 30, are to understand the festival Onam in a better way and get the real feel of village life, he told media reporters.

Kumarakam, Vaikom in Kottayam, Waynad, Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram and Bakel in Kasargod have been selected under the project.

Chegadi, Cheruvayal, Nellarachaal, Chettyalathoor in Waynad, Maravanthuruthu, Chembu in Vaikom, Balaramapuram in Kovalam, Maanjira, Varambigam, Viruppukaala in Kumarakam, Bakel, Valiyaparambu, Padanna, Trikkaripur in Kasargod are the villages taking part in the project, he added.

Tourists are offered Onam feast in homes in these villages.

Boating through canals, weaving of coconut palm fronds, toddy tapping, climbing coconut trees, traditional fishing using nets, making of pappads, coir and earthen vessels and visit to handloom units are some of the programmes.

A total of 126 houses, 63 homestays and 34 restaurants have expressed interest to join the project.

A total of 1,650 people have registered so far. At least 170 foreign and 140 domestic tourists are also expected to join the programme which costs between Rs 2,000 and Rs 8000.

For details contact 0471-2560439.