Kochi, the queen of Arabian Sea is all set to host the 16th edition of the’ World Hotels Shoot the Rain 2023’, Football Tournament, which is organized by by the Tourism Professionals Club (TPC) Kochi at the Maharaja’s College Stadium. Eranakulam in Kerala on 22nd and 23rd July 2023 for the promotion of Monsoon Tourism in Kerala- God’s Own Country.
The Shoot the Rain – the Monsoon soccer tournament festival for the Travel and Hospitality Industry by TPC is supported by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. This popular event has been a part of the Monsoon tourism promotion for over 19 years. For the convenience of the city crowd, TPC is organising the event at The Maharajas College Stadium and the First Match will be kicked off at 6.45 AM on 22nd July 2023. Mr. Anil Kumar, Mayor of Kochi Corporation will formally inaugurate the event in the presence of Ms. Padmaja Menon, Kochi Corporation ward councilor, and the leaders from the Tourism industry.
Senior Industry Partners and celebrities will be present during the inaugural and valedictory functions. Shoot The Rain has always been an excellent platform for business networking as professionals from various segments of tourism gather here during the event. The visitors can also enjoy football, and monsoon spells and know more about new hotels and resorts. They can also enjoy lip-smacking delicacies from the food court.
The event has been well acclaimed by the tourism fraternity across the country. To add more colours to the 20th-anniversary celebration of TPC, this edition will witness more activities and colours as part of the STR 2023 including B2B meet and networking events. The winner will be awarded the “The Dominic Joseph Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy” along with a cash prize of Rs 40,000 and the runners-up will be awarded a Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 30,000. The third prize will be Rs.20000/-.
Dr. Venu IAS, Chief Secretary of Kerala would be the chief guest for the valedictory function, which will be held on 23rd July 2023 at 5.45 PM. Other guests of Honour during the valedictory function would be Mr. Hibi Eaden MP, Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President of Kerala Travel Mart Society, Mr. Jose Pradeep, Secretary of Kerala Travel Mart Society, Mr. Sajeev Kurup, President of Ayurveda Promotion Society, Mr. Sivadatan, President of Kerala Homestays and Tourism Society, and other distinguished personalities from the travel trade.
Tourism Professionals Club has always been committed to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. Renowned Artist Gireeshan Bhattathiripad would be using this space to exhibit his creations. He would also be doing live painting.
The Executive Committee of the Tourism Professionals Club under the leadership of Mr.Sheik Ismail (President), Mr. Ratheesh R Nath (Secretary), and Mr.Vineesh Vidya (General Convenor) have been working hard to make this event a grand success. The organising team expressed their gratitude for the support extended by the media and industry colleagues. Mr.Vineesh Vidya, General Convenor for STR 16 also said that the Technical guidance for the soccer festival will be provided by soccer legend Mr. T.A. Jaffer.
Organizing Committee representatives could not conceal their excitement about the event, which according to them becomes even more appealing owing to the rains. Mr. Sheik Ismail, The President of the club, said that each year we find that new teams are keen on participating, but unfortunately we are not able to register all the applicants owing to the limited time we have, for conducting the event.
Mr. Sheik Ismail, President of TPC said, apart from exciting football matches and the 20th-anniversary celebration of TPC. We have included many activities like networking and formal B2B sessions and make this event a symbol of the Unity of the Tourism Fraternity of Kerala. The last 15 editions of the ‘Shoot The Rain’ Monsoon football tournament has created a buzz in the tourism sector and created an atmosphere to strengthen the bondage among the industry stakeholders through B2B meet and networking activities. Everyone in the industry is believed that, Shoot The Rain, as part of Monsoon Tourism promotion is an excellent initiative of the association to bring the industry professionals and stakeholders together in the offseason period.
He also added that we always speak about the truth and facts and also believe in actions than mere words and promises, maybe that is why, TPC is considered the most active tourism industry organization in Kerala.
According to Mr. Ratheesh R Nath, Secretary of TPC, during the COVID pandemic, we have successfully conducted “Let’s Go KOVALAM”, for the promotion of ‘Destination Kovalam’ and South Kerala region and ‘Malabar destination promotions’ and industry networking events for the marketing of unexplored destinations in North Kerala. More than 500 domestic travel agents and tour operators have visited Kerala through TPC and this initiative has played an instrumental for the revival of Kerala’s tourism sector post-pandemic period.
This popular soccer tournament which was introduced 19 years back has become one of the most popular events in the tourism industry. There are 27 teams representing major hotels, tour operators, and others who are fighting it out to win the “Dominic Joseph Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy” sponsored by the CGH Earth Group. Participating teams include Sree Gokulam Hotels Ekm, Olive Down Town, Old Harbour Resorts, CGH Marari Beach Resort, CGH Casino Hotels, W. Island, CGH Spice Village Thekkady, CGH 8th Bastion Fort Kochi, Leela Raviz Kovalam, CGH Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom, CGH Brunton Boat Yard Fort Kochi, Crown Plaza, Ernakulam, The Grace International Coco Kerala, Grand Hyatt Ernakulam, Fragrant Nature Fort Kochi, Touracle Ernakulam, The Raviz Calicut, The Marriot Hotel, Ernakulam, The Ramada by Windham Alleppey, Somatheeram Ayurveda Trivandrum, Airlines Team Ernakulam, Kumarakom Lake Resort Kumarakom, Wayanad Destination Makers, Abad Hotels, Courtyard and Port Muziris by Mariot, The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort, and Spa, Tourism Professionals Club, etc. There would also be exhibition matches from teams from Gujarat and some other states of India.
