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                           Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. Its unique feature, culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This Tropical paradise with its spectacular and diverse natural attractions has greatly attracted holiday makers from across the world. Kerala is one among the longest- lived, healthiest, most gender equitable and most literate regions makes it distinct from other developed countries. Realising the importance of tourism in stimulating the economic development of the state, the Government of Kerala declared tourism as an industry in 1986. Today, tourism is Kerala's booming industry and one of the fastest growing, high income and employment generating sector. Constant efforts are on to promote Kerala abroad and marketing strategies are being evolved along with new and exciting tourism products. The state department of tourism along with private entrepreneurs is taking steps to improve the facilities and infrastructure at places with tourism potential. Kerala, promoted as “God’s Own Country” is blessed by nature with varied geographical features like beaches, hill stations, backwaters, national parks & wild life sanctuaries. The centuries- old holistic medicine of Ayurveda, the unique boat races that is the largest team sport in the world, the ride through the winding waterways in a cosy houseboat or the colourful and exotic festivals, Kerala offers a multitude of experience to the tourist. Popular attractions in the state include the beaches such as  Kovalam,  Varkala, Marari, Bekal and Kannur. Kerala’s most popular backwater destinations are Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kochi  and Kozhikode, and its best known hill stations are  Ponmudi, Munnar, Wayanad and Wagamon. Kerala has a number of  well- known wildlife reserves, including the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park,  Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tourism in India

             Tourism plays an important role as a foreign exchange earner for the country. In 2021, foreign exchange earnings (FEE) from tourism were US $8.797 billion compared to US $6.958 billion in 2020, registering a positive growth of 26.43 per cent. According to United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), India's share of international tourist arrivals is 1.64 per cent in 2021. India received 677.63 million domestic tourist visits in 2021, an increase of 11.05 per cent from 610.22 million in 2020. (India Tourism Statistics 2022).

Tourism in Kerala

                Tourism has contributed significantly to the economy of Kerala for decades, with revenue of ₹12,285.91 crore to the sector in 2021. Tourism is the key activity and the central driver of post-COVID recovery of the economy, community enterprises, job opportunities, cultural exchanges, infrastructure development. It will build linkages and interconnections with other sectors and departments like agriculture, fishing, transport, education and infrastructure. Shopping malls and restaurants have resumed business as usual to allow more economic activity. Growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) slipped to an all-time low figure of (-)82.25 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020. Domestic Tourist Arrivals (DTA) showed negative growth of (-)72.86 per cent in 2020; but emerged positively, recording 51.09 per cent in 2021, with the ease of restrictions on travel within India. (Department of Tourism, GoK)

Foreign Tourist Arrivals

                 The number of foreign tourists who visited the country in 2021 was 15.27 lakh, 44.36 per cent lower than the tourist arrivals in 2020. Around 0.6 lakh foreign tourists visited the State in 2021, which is (-) 82.25 per cent lower than (3.4 lakh) the previous year. The number of foreign tourists who visited Kerala in 2022 up to June was 1.05 lakh. The Figure below reveals the trends in the arrival of foreign tourists in India and Kerala during 2012 to 2021.

Annual growth rates in the arrival of foreign tourists in India and Kerala from 2012 to 2021, in per cent  

 Source: Department of Tourism, GoK

Kerala Tourism at a glance

              From 2012 to 2013 and in 2015 and 2019, the growth rate in Kerala for foreign tourist arrivals was higher than that of India. It was lower than the national average in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The number of foreign tourists who visited Kerala in 2019 was 11,89,771 as against 10,96,407 foreign tourists in 2018, recording 8.52 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in the State as compared to 2018. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, 2020 and 2021 are showing a negative growth rate in the arrival of foreign tourists. Month-wise foreign tourist arrival in India and Kerala in 2020 and 2021 is given below:   

District-wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals

                   For the last few years Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala recorded largest foreign tourist arrivals in the State. In 2021, 46,821 foreign tourists visited Ernakulam whereas it was 1,34,952 in 2020. In the case of Thiruvananthapuram, 8262 foreign tourists visited the District in 2021 and 90,550 in 2020. The districts with least number of foreign tourist arrivals were Palakkad (41) and Pathanamthitta (72) in 2021. The scenario is the same in 2020 also. Details are given below: