print edition The world is longing to see Kerala; 1.23 crore tourists in one year

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has once again proved why it remains one of India’s proudest, safest, and most enchanting global tourism hotspots. Visitor arrivals to the State have surged to an all -time high, with a remarkable 1.23 crore (1,23,72,864) travellers exploring Kerala in the first six months ending June 2025. Of these, 1.19 crore (1,19,89,864) were domestic travellers, while 383,000 arrived from overseas.

During the same period in 2024, the State welcomed 1.12 crore visitors. By the end of 2024, Kerala had recorded an impressive 2.29 crore travellers in total: 2.22 crore domestic tourists and 738,374 international arrivals. With the current pace, this year’s numbers are expected to sail past 2.3 crore by December. Tourism revenue in 2024 stood at 45,053.61 crore rupees, reaffirming the sector’s vital contribution to the State’s economy.

Kerala’s resurgence in tourism marks a powerful post covid -pandemic recovery, with each year since 2022 setting fresh records. Up to June this year, Idukki welcomed the highest number of domestic tourists with 21.79 lakh arrivals, followed by Ernakulam with 21.3 lakh and Thiruvananthapuram with 210227 tourists. Among international visitors, Ernakulam led with 124,260 arrivals, trailed by Thiruvananthapuram with 82,418 and Idukki with 68,618.

Behind this growth lies Kerala’s dynamic and adaptive tourism strategy. The State expanded its marketing footprint, introduced diverse tourism experiences, and embraced a Look East policy. From China to Australia, Kerala strengthened both tourism promotion and international cooperation. With four international airports, unmatched by any other Indian State, and a strong network of national and State highways, accessibility has played a crucial role in its rise.

Last year’s Tourism Investors Meet brought investment pledges worth 15,116.65 crore rupees, signalling growing confidence in Kerala as a global tourism destination.