Each yacht team will be accompanied by about 40-50 repair experts, who will be flown in from their respective countries.

Moreover, the sponsors of each of the yacht teams are expected to bring 200-250 guests to cheer their teams.

Sivasankar said: "We have held discussions with the owners of the houseboats and are confident of addressing issues pertaining to accommodation."

He, however, declined to comment on the budget for the village.

Image: A Kathakali artiste from Kerala performs during a roadshow to promote tourism in the state. | Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

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