Munnar, Ooty, and Coorg Record Heavy Domestic Footfall Amid Inbound Tourism Dip

As extreme heatwave conditions continue to grip large parts of North India and international travel becomes increasingly expensive and uncertain, more Indian travellers are opting for domestic vacations, driving a strong tourism surge across South India’s hill stations and wellness destinations.

Tourism operators in Kerala , Tamil Nadu , and Karnataka are witnessing a significant rise in bookings from families, honeymooners, and luxury travellers seeking cooler weather, nature-based experiences, and wellness-focused holidays. Destinations such as Munnar, Wayanad, and Vagamon have emerged as major attractions this season after early monsoon showers in mid-May brought temperatures down sharply compared to northern and central regions of the country.

Traditional hill stations including Ooty and Coorg are also recording higher tourist footfall as travellers increasingly prioritise comfort, privacy, and experiential tourism over long-haul international holidays.

According to Anish Kumar P.K ., founder and CEO of The Travel Planners , the shift toward domestic tourism has become more visible over the past few months due to rising international airfare costs and geopolitical uncertainties affecting overseas travel.

“Honeymooners are increasingly preferring high-end private pool villas in Kerala for exclusive and relaxed experiences,” he said. “Luxury private tours combining hill stations, wildlife, backwaters, and beach resorts are currently among the most sought-after holiday experiences for Indian families.”

The company offers customised honeymoon and family travel programs featuring luxury stays in Munnar, wildlife safaris and spice plantation experiences in Thekkady, premium houseboat stays in Alleppey, and beachside retreats in destinations such as Kovalam and Mararikulam.

Industry experts say the current travel trend reflects a broader transformation in India’s tourism sector, where wellness tourism , slow travel , and luxury domestic experiences are reshaping traveller behaviour. Private villas, Ayurveda therapies, forest retreats, and curated nature-based itineraries are increasingly becoming central to premium travel demand.

The tourism boom also comes at a time when India’s domestic tourism market is outperforming inbound foreign tourism. While local travel has recorded strong growth, international tourist arrivals continue to recover slowly in several destinations. Kerala has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of this domestic tourism wave, recording over 2.58 crore tourist arrivals in 2025 , including more than 2.50 crore domestic visitors .

Tourism officials attribute the growth to improved infrastructure, aggressive digital campaigns, enhanced connectivity, and Kerala’s growing reputation as a global Ayurveda and wellness tourism hub .

Established 26 years ago, The Travel Planners is regarded as one of South India’s pioneering private tour operators. Under the leadership of Anish Kumar P.K., the company introduced innovative tourism concepts combining leisure travel, wellness experiences, and destination wedding programs for international visitors.

His contributions to the industry have earned recognitions including the Kerala Tourism Best Innovative Tourism Product Award and the Best Use of Information Technology in Tourism Award . The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India , has also recognised him as a leading inbound tour operator in the country.

Tourism analysts believe the current season highlights a larger shift underway in India’s travel industry, with domestic travellers increasingly becoming the primary growth engine for hospitality, luxury tourism, and regional economies across South India.