As the state gets up for the impending festive and winter vacation seasons, Kerala Tourism is seeing a notable spike in domestic visitor arrivals along with a hopeful rise in foreign tourists. The state has introduced a number of new tourism packages and products in an effort to maintain and accelerate this development, with the goal of drawing tourists from both within and outside of India.
Kerala’s many attractions, which include its well-known beaches, hill stations, houseboats, and backwaters, continue to be major draws for travelers. The state is now concentrating on offering a wider variety of experiences, including homestays, plantation excursions, caravan stays, adventure activities, and Ayurvedic-based health treatments. This change is a calculated attempt to position Kerala as an all-weather, experienced tourism destination that appeals to a wide range of travelers, from luxury vacationers to thrill-seekers.
Diversifying Kerala’s tourist appeal is crucial, according to PA Mohamed Riyas, the minister of tourism for Kerala.
Our latest offerings will spark new interest among visitors, making Kerala a compelling experiential tourist hotspot for all segments, whether they are honeymooning couples, backpackers, or globetrotters,
PA Mohamed Riyas
Kerala’s tourist industry has recovered from the epidemic with remarkable resiliency, as seen by a significant rise in domestic visitors. The state saw 21,871,641 domestic visitors in 2023, a considerable increase above pre-COVID figures. There was a rise in the number of foreign tourists as well; 649,057 came in 2023. This positive trend was maintained in the first quarter of 2024 when domestic tourist arrivals increased by 2.05% over the same time in 2023.
Kerala will have a renowned tourism trade show, Kerala Tourism Mart, in September to further stimulate the industry. Already, 650 international and over 1,500 local purchasers have attended the event. Kerala has been successful in encouraging participatory development via its Responsible Tourism initiative; in October, an international conference on gender-inclusive tourism will be organized to showcase this achievement.
It is anticipated that new projects like caravan tourism via “Keravan Kerala” and heli-tourism under the “Sky Initiative” would revolutionize the travel industry. These programs seek to provide one-of-a-kind travel experiences, such as helicopter excursions between popular places for a single day and in-depth explorations of Kerala’s rural hinterlands.
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Kerala’s hotels and tour operators are promoting their packages as the festival and winter vacation seasons draw near in an effort to increase visitor traffic. There is also an increase in reservations from overseas, indicating a successful season to come.
Kerala Tourism has started a number of tourism trade networking initiatives, such as B2B roadshows and participation in trade events around the nation, to market these new products. “We are bringing these initiatives to Pune on August 29, followed by Chennai and Kolkata in the coming months, following a successful Partnership Meet in Vadodara and Surat,” said Sikha Surendran, Director of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
With these changes, Kerala is poised to become an eco-friendly, networked tourism destination that offers a range of experiences tailored to the tastes of modern tourists.