Kerala, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, witnessed an unprecedented surge in domestic tourist arrivals in 2023, setting an all-time high record. According to the state’s tourism ministry, a staggering 21,871,641 individuals explored the scenic beauty of Kerala, marking a remarkable 16 percent increase from the previous year.
State Minister for Tourism and Public Works, P A Mohamed Riyas, disclosed that in 2022, Kerala welcomed 18,867,414 domestic tourists. The surge in 2023 also represented an impressive 18.97 percent growth compared to the pre-Covid year of 2019, indicating the resilience and allure of Kerala’s tourism sector.
Ernakulam district emerged as the top destination for domestic tourists, hosting 4,487,930 visitors, followed closely by Idukki (3,633,584), Thiruvananthapuram (3,589,932), Thrissur (2,478,573), and Wayanad (1,750,267).
In terms of international tourism, Kerala experienced a substantial uptick, welcoming 6,49,057 visitors in 2023 compared to 3,45,549 tourists in 2022—an impressive growth of 87.83 percent. Ernakulam district topped the list for international tourist arrivals with 2,79,904 visitors, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (1,48,462), Idukki (1,03,644), Alappuzha (31,403), and Kottayam (28,458).
Minister Riyas credited Kerala Tourism’s robust efforts, including well-crafted policy initiatives and meticulously executed promotional strategies, for the surge in tourist arrivals. However, he acknowledged that despite the significant growth, international tourist arrivals remained 45.45 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels, citing global challenges.
Addressing the slow growth in international tourism, the minister affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing tourist activities and events to attract more visitors. He also highlighted the implementation of regulatory measures to ensure the safety of adventure activities, including mandatory registration and licensing for surfing training clubs and similar ventures.