This Founder’s Message reflects my lifelong journey in Kerala tourism and the values that guide this platform.
On 5 November 1999, my journey in tourism began as a Travel Desk Executive at Cochin Woodlands, a well-known budget hotel representing Indo-World Tours.
It was peak season, and I was completely new to the travel industry.
Each day, travellers queued to seek guidance, and I quickly realised that this profession was about listening first and guiding next.
With over 50 years of heritage, The Woodlands Hotel has long been a preferred choice for international travelers exploring Kerala’s tourism destinations.
My daily responsibilities involved listening carefully to guest queries, understanding accents, contacting my office for accurate details, and responding promptly.
This process strengthened my ability to offer precise travel advice and build personalised tour planning skills.
Within a month, I was confidently preparing and finalizing complete Kerala travel packages in single one-to-two-hour sittings with guests through face-to-face discussions.
Each itinerary required understanding guest preferences, reserving hotels and houseboats, coordinating transport, collecting payments, and confirming bookings.
In those days, before internet usage became common, every arrangement relied fully on phone calls and fax confirmations.
Accuracy and dedication were essential.
After two months, I was promoted to Woods Manor, a three-star hotel, and The Metropolitan – The Old Courtyard, a boutique heritage hotel.
I also handled the Tourist Information Desk at Fort Kochi.
All operations were managed by Indo-World Tours.
I later served at Abad Plaza and Abad Atrium, where working with premium clients refined my approach to detail, hospitality, and service excellence.
Following my marriage, I undertook additional responsibility to provide live training for newly appointed Guest Relations Executives across multiple outlets under Indo-World Tours.
I subsequently attempted to operate a cab service alongside the company in 2005, but soon realised my true passion remained within travel planning rather than transport operations.
My final direct guest-service role in India was at Cochin Le Meridien, one of the leading five-star hotels then and now, where I served as a Travel Desk Professional.
In 2007, I moved to Dasin Group, a prominent tour operator promoting Kerala tourism to the Saudi market.
At Dasin Group, I specialized in creating itineraries for Arab travelers while coordinating high-volume, long-stay bookings
The organisation was led by Mr. Joseph Mathew, Co-Founder and Major Shareholder of the Saudi travel conglomerate, Al Thayyar Group.
A special note of gratitude is extended to Mr. Joseph Mathew, who played a pioneering role in introducing Kerala tourism to Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, supporting numerous Kerala tour operators in establishing robust travel corridors to this region.
Even during his retirement years, Joseph Mathew, founder and owner of the Hill Palace Hotel & Spa—a distinguished five-star boutique hotel in Cochin—remains actively involved in the tourism industry, continuing to inspire through hands-on leadership and dedicated service.
This experience strengthened my exposure to international travel coordination.
A special note of respect goes to Mr. P. K. Ramesh, Founder and Director of Indoworld Tours and a proud native of Vaikom Village.
He pioneered the concept of village backwater tourism in the region, creating authentic experiences that connected travellers directly with local life.
Even while leading a peaceful retirement life, he continues to inspire the tourism industry by operating this experiential model for travellers worldwide alongside fellow Vaikom operators.
In 2015, I relocated to Qatar to continue my professional growth.
Working alongside Mr. Kuriyakose Thomas, whom I had known for over 17 years, I focused on corporate sales and UAE tourist visa services.
I achieved consistent results in this sector.
On 13 August 2016, Jawahara Asia Tourism received the licence to issue tourist visas to Qatar.
In March 2018, I took a significant step toward independence by registering my own company, Majestic Tourism.
With minimal investment, I began my entrepreneurial journey after parting on good terms with my previous employment.
I was the first person in Qatar to promote tourist visas through a licensed office and a Facebook ad, and the response was extraordinary — close to a million people reached out.
Those were some of my best times, as I began issuing visas to this expensive country and quickly grew, earning a steady income and building a strong reputation.
Then came the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, which was officially declared in Qatar in March 2020.
Global travel came to a standstill.
I sent my wife home and remained in Qatar with the hope that the FIFA World Cup 2022 would revive the tourism business.
However, policy changes allowing visa-on-arrival for more than 80 nationalities drastically altered the market.
Small operators like myself were directly affected.
For nearly two years, I searched for new opportunities.
After working at a senior management level, I realised I could no longer serve again as a regular employee.
During this period, I lived in shared accommodation without a job, meeting the monthly company sponsorship fees and my living expenses entirely from my hard-earned savings in Qatar, with no operational returns.
In these demanding times, I expanded my expertise by learning social media marketing, graphic design, blogging, email marketing, video creation and editing—including animation and voiceover—on-page and off-page SEO, affiliate marketing, content creation, and web design, along with several complementary digital skills.
This learning journey shaped me into a digital nomad.
On 5 March 2024, I finally returned to my home country feeling like a stranger, after spending the better part of my savings in Qatar.
Though hesitant to work under others, I accepted an opportunity in the marketing operations of a major houseboat company in Alappuzha for only two months.
Managing backend operations for houseboat tours in Alleppey gave me hands-on experience that only a few Kerala tour operators acquire.
Gradually, I reconnected with my professional network and renewed my commitment to tourism.
At 57, I decided to blend decades of practical experience with modern digital skills to create this website on my own.
Beyond work, I remain deeply inspired by the timeless singing style of the legendary Celestial Singer, Dr. K. J. Yesudas.
I spend my personal time learning Carnatic Music whenever possible.
I see this stage of life as an unexpected extra time at the end of a thrilling football final — a rare and precious chance to give my absolute best in my No. 10 jersey, before the final whistle.
With no children to carry forward my legacy, I pour my passion into this platform.
It reflects my guiding values of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Through sincere service and thoughtful planning, my mission remains simple.
To deliver meaningful Kerala tour experiences to every traveller who places their trust in us.
I dedicate this website to the continued growth of Kerala Tourism, with the genuine hope that more travellers will discover and visit our beautiful state through this platform.
This is a humble way of expressing my gratitude to the industry, which has supported my livelihood throughout my life.
I strive to leave this website on the internet as a lasting contribution to the industry that shaped my journey.
Sincerely,
Founder – Kerala Luxury Holidays