Kerala Tourism is seeing a considerable increase in domestic tourist arrivals, with a potential increase in foreign tourists as the state prepares for the next festive and winter vacation seasons. In order to preserve and expand this development, the state has introduced a number of new tourist products and packages aimed at attracting visitors from throughout India and internationally.
Kerala Sees Growth in Domestic Tourism: 10 Key Points To Know
- Increase in Domestic Tourism: Kerala has seen a significant rise in domestic tourist arrivals, with the state preparing for an increase in foreign tourists during the upcoming festive and winter vacation seasons.
- New Tourist Offerings: To sustain and expand tourism growth, Kerala has introduced new products and packages, including caravan stays, plantation tours, jungle lodges, homestays, Ayurveda-based health solutions, and outdoor activities.
- Diversified Attractions: Kerala’s traditional attractions, such as beaches, hill stations, houseboats, and backwaters, remain popular, but the state is now focusing on offering a wider range of experiences.
- All-Weather Destination: Kerala aims to position itself as an all-weather, experiential destination that caters to various tourist groups, from luxury travelers to adventure enthusiasts.
- Tourism Recovery: Kerala’s tourism industry has shown resilience in recovering from the pandemic, with a significant increase in domestic visitors in 2023, surpassing pre-COVID levels.
- International Tourism Growth: International tourist arrivals in Kerala also increased in 2023, and the trend continued in the first quarter of 2024, showing positive growth in both domestic and international tourism.
- Recognition and Awards: Kerala’s digital marketing efforts won the prestigious PATA Gold Award, and the state was featured in The New York Times’ list of ’52 must-visit locations in 2023.’
- Upcoming Events: Kerala will host the Kerala Travel Mart in September and an international conference on gender-inclusive tourism in October, highlighting the state’s achievements in participatory development.
- Innovative Tourism Initiatives: New ventures like heli-tourism under the ‘Sky Initiative’ and caravan tourism through ‘Keravan Kerala’ are expected to offer unique travel experiences and boost tourism.
- Marketing and Promotion: Kerala Tourism has launched travel trade networking initiatives, including B2B roadshows and participation in trade fairs across India, to promote its new offerings and attract more visitors.
Kerala’s diversified features, such as its famed beaches, hill stations, houseboats, and backwaters, continue to be key tourist attractions. However, the state is now concentrating on offering a larger variety of experiences, including caravan stays, plantation excursions, jungle lodges, homestays, Ayurveda-based health solutions, and outdoor activities. This transition is part of a deliberate effort to position Kerala as an all-weather, experience destination that caters to a wide range of visitor groups, from affluent tourists to adventure seekers.
Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas highlighted the significance of broadening Kerala’s tourist attractiveness.
“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,”.
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Kerala’s tourist industry has shown tenacity in recovering from the epidemic, as reflected by a significant rise in domestic visitors. In 2023, the state registered 21,871,641 domestic visitors, a considerable increase from pre-COVID levels. International tourism arrivals also increased, reaching 649,057 people in 2023. The first quarter of 2024 followed this growing trend, with domestic tourist arrivals up 2.05% over the same time in 2023.
Kerala’s attempts to revitalize its tourist industry have not been ignored. The state’s digital marketing strategy recently received the renowned PATA Gold Award, and Kerala was named one of The New York Times’ ’52 must-visit locations in 2023.’
To further support the industry, Kerala will host the Kerala Travel Mart, a renowned travel trade event, in September. The event has already attracted over 1,500 domestic and 650 overseas customers. Furthermore, an international conference on gender-inclusive tourism will be conducted in October to demonstrate Kerala’s achievements in encouraging participatory development via its Responsible Tourism program.
New ventures like heli-tourism under the ‘Sky Initiative’ and caravan tourism via ‘Keravan Kerala’ are projected to be game changers. These programs attempt to deliver one-of-a-kind travel experiences, such as one-day helicopter flights between popular sites and deep dives into Kerala’s rural hinterlands.
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As the Christmas and winter vacation seasons approach, Kerala’s travel operators and motels are providing appealing packages to increase foot traffic. International reservations are also on the upswing, indicating a promising season ahead.
To market these new offers, Kerala Tourism has initiated a variety of travel trade networking initiatives, such as B2B roadshows and participation in trade fairs around the nation. “After a successful Partnership Meeting in Vadodara and Surat, we are bringing these initiatives to Pune on August 29, followed by Chennai and Kolkata in the coming months,” said Sikha Surendran, Director of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
With these improvements, Kerala is poised to turn into a sustainable, linked tourism hotspot, providing a diverse range of experiences tailored to the demands of modern travelers.
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