Kerala Tourism sees surge in domestic arrivals, unveils new products for festive & winter seasons, ET TravelWorld

Kerala Tourism is witnessing a significant surge in domestic tourist arrivals, with a promising uptick in international visitors as the state prepares for the upcoming festive and winter holiday seasons. In a bid to sustain and enhance this growth, the state has launched a series of new tourism products and packages, aiming to attract travellers from across India and abroad.

Kerala’s diverse offerings, including its iconic beaches, hill stations, houseboats, and backwaters, remain central to its tourist appeal. However, the state is now focusing on providing a broader range of experiences, such as caravan stays, plantation visits, jungle lodges, homestays, Ayurveda-based wellness solutions, and adventure activities. This shift is part of a strategic move to establish Kerala as an all-weather, experiential destination catering to various traveler segments, from upscale tourists to adventure seekers.

Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas emphasised the importance of diversifying Kerala’s tourism appeal. “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,” he said.

Kerala’s tourism sector has shown resilience in bouncing back from the pandemic, as evidenced by a substantial increase in domestic arrivals. In 2023, the state recorded 21,871,641 domestic tourists, a significant leap from the pre-COVID numbers. International tourist arrivals also saw an increase, with 649,057 visitors in 2023. The first quarter of 2024 continued this upward trend, with a 2.05% increase in domestic tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023.

Kerala’s efforts to rejuvenate its tourism sector have not gone unnoticed. The state’s digital marketing campaign recently won the prestigious PATA Gold Award, and Kerala was featured in The New York Times’ list of ‘52 must-visit places in 2023.’

To further boost the sector, Kerala will host the Kerala Travel Mart, leading travel trade event, in September. The event has already attracted over 1,500 domestic buyers and 650 foreign buyers. Additionally, an international conference on gender-inclusive tourism will be held in October to highlight Kerala’s success in promoting participatory development through its Responsible Tourism scheme.New initiatives like heli-tourism under the ‘Sky Initiative’ and caravan tourism through ‘Keravan Kerala’ are expected to be game changers. These projects aim to provide unique travel experiences, such as one-day helicopter tours between top destinations and deep dives into Kerala’s rural hinterlands.

As the festive and winter holiday seasons approach, Kerala’s tour operators and hoteliers are offering attractive packages to boost footfall. International bookings are also on the rise, signaling a strong season ahead.

To promote these new offerings, Kerala Tourism has launched a series of travel trade networking activities, including B2B roadshows and participation in trade fairs across the country. “After a successful Partnership Meet 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 developments, Kerala is set to transform itself into a sustainable, interconnected tourist haven, offering a variety of experiences that cater to the needs of new-age travellers.