Kerala tourism breaks records in 2025 with 2.58 crore arrivals, says Tourism Minister

Kerala’s tourism sector recorded an unprecedented performance in 2025, with 2,58,80,365 tourists visiting the state, the highest number since its formation, Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas said on Monday. This marked an increase of 28,95,002 visitors compared with 2024 , underlining the sector’s rapid recovery and expansion.

Of the total arrivals, about 70 per cent were domestic tourists and roughly 30 per cent were international visitors , illustrating Kerala’s appeal both across India and overseas. Domestic tourist numbers rose 12.64 per cent , which was 36.03 per cent higher than pre‑Covid levels .

Among districts, Idukki led in domestic visitor numbers with 46,79,800 tourists, followed by Ernakulam (44,29,899) , Thiruvananthapuram (43,75,846) , and Thrissur (31,24,696) . Riyas said that while tourism in North Kerala once accounted for only six per cent of the state’s total, that figure has grown steadily.

Kerala has long emerged as one of India’s most tourist‑friendly and most‑visited states , known for its lush backwaters, hill stations, beaches, cultural heritage, spice routes and wellness experiences. Its tourism website keralatourism.org was one of the most visited travel portals among state tourism sites in India , ranking highly in global web traffic and drawing millions of visitors interested in travel information and planning.

Economically, tourism remains a significant contributor to the state’s economy. In 2024, the sector generated around ₹45,053.61 crore in revenue , highlighting its importance to Kerala’s financial health. The growing wellness and Ayurveda segment, which attracts international travellers seeking holistic healing experiences, earned approximately ₹13,500 crore in 2024 , with visitors coming from countries such as Oman and the Maldives.

To build on this momentum, Kerala is investing in both basic infrastructure and innovative tourism products . The 2026‑27 state budget allocated ₹413.52 crore to tourism , with significant funding earmarked for modernising facilities at destinations and enhancing basic amenities, while also promoting heritage, cultural and community‑based tourism.

Innovation and digital engagement are priorities for Kerala Tourism. Partnering with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) , the department is creating a Hospitality and Tourism Innovation Centre , introducing AI‑ and VR‑based experiences , developing caravan trails and co‑working pods , and implementing tech‑driven sanitation and multilingual information systems . The ministry’s active presence on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook highlights destinations, trends, and stories, engaging domestic and international travellers, especially younger audiences, and boosting visitor numbers.

Kerala’s Responsible Tourism mission has gained global recognition for promoting women’s empowerment and rural development , running over 26,000 units that benefit 1.5 lakh families , with about 80 per cent women-led , aligning with international gender-inclusive goals.

However, challenges remain. A government study found nearly half of tourism constructions in Wayanad lacked proper licenses and environmental clearances , raising safety and sustainability concerns. To improve infrastructure and access, the minister stressed completing National Highway‑66 works , upgrading PWD rest houses , and launching K‑Homes , which repurposes unoccupied homes near tourist hotspots for visitor stays.