2.18 cr visitors: Domestic tourist footfall to Kerala increased by more than 15 pc in 2023

Data suggests Kerala's tourism sector had a bright period in 2023. There was a huge increase in the number of foreign and domestic tourists who visited the state in 2023. According to the figures, released by the Department of Tourism, the footfall of domestic tourists increased by 15.92 percent and  the number of foreign tourists increased by 87.83 percent in

In 2023, 2,18,71,641 travelers within the country visited the state.

There is an increase of 15.92 percent compared to the previous year. In 2022, 1,88,67,414 domestic tourists arrived in Kerala. Considering the pre-Covid figure, there is a notable increase in domestic tourist arrivals by 18.97 percent.

Ernakulam district had the highest number of domestic visitors in 2023 with 44,87,930. Districts like Idukki (36,33,584), Thiruvananthapuram (35,89,932), Thrissur (24,78,573) and Wayanad (17,50,267) also received the most tourists.

3,45,549 foreign tourists visited the state in 2022. It increased to 6,49,057 in 2023. There is a growth of 87.83 percent. Ernakulam district topped the list with the arrival of 2,79,904 foreign tourists following Thiruvananthapuram (1,48,462), Idukki (1,03,644), Alappuzha (31,403) and Kottayam (28,458) districts. 

However, it may be noted that foreign tourist footfall has not reached pre-Covid level. The Department of Tourism stated that a gradual increase in the number of foreign tourists can be considered a good sign.