Kerala's Experiential Boom, 87.83% Surge In 2023's International Tourism

EE News Desk Mar 06, 2024

Kerala achieved a new milestone in domestic tourist arrivals in 2023, welcoming 2.18 crore visitors, marking a 15.92 per cent rise from the previous year, as informed by Minister for Tourism and Public Works P A Mohamed Riyas on Monday, according to media reports.

In 2022, the state saw 1,88,67,414 domestic tourist footfalls. Notably, there was an 18.97 per cent increase in domestic tourist arrivals compared to the figures from 2019, as highlighted by the minister during a press conference.

In 2023, Ernakulam district led in domestic tourist arrivals in Kerala with 44,87,930 visitors, followed by Idukki (36,33,584), Thiruvananthapuram (35,89,932), Thrissur (24,78,573) and Wayanad (17,50,267). Additionally, the state observed a substantial rise in international tourist visits, reaching 6,49,057 in 2023 compared to 3,45,549 tourists in 2022, reflecting a growth of 87.83 per cent.

In a tale of global exploration, Ernakulam district played host to 2,79,904 international tourists, gracefully followed by Thiruvananthapuram (1,48,462), Idukki (1,03,644), Alappuzha (31,403), and Kottayam (28,458).

Minister for Tourism and Public Works, P A Mohamed Riyas credits this success to the unwavering dedication of Kerala Tourism, evident in meticulously crafted policies and impactful promotional strategies both at home and abroad, as per reports.

While international tourist arrivals have shown a significant rebound, Minister P A Mohamed Riyas acknowledges that there is still a 45.45 per cent gap compared to pre Covid-19 levels. The rise in foreign tourists, hampered by the pandemic, indicates positive momentum, yet the journey to pre-pandemic figures requires more time, he noted to the media. Despite global conflicts impacting international tourism, Kerala has made strides in attracting foreign visitors. The upcoming adventure tourism events are poised to reclaim lost ground, and strategic plans are in motion to draw more tourists to the enchanting Malabar region, the minister revealed.