Kerala recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals in 2025, with over 2.58 crore visitors, Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Riyas said 2,58,80,365 tourists from outside the state visited Kerala in 2025, marking the highest figure since the state’s formation. Compared to 2024, the state welcomed an additional 28,95,002 tourists during the year.

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According to the minister, domestic tourist arrivals rose by 12.64 per cent, and were 36.03 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels.

Among districts, Idukki topped the list with 46,79,800 domestic tourists, followed by Ernakulam (44,29,899), Thiruvananthapuram (43,75,846) and Thrissur (31,24,696).

Riyas noted that earlier, tourist arrivals in North Kerala — from Thrissur to Kasaragod — accounted for only six per cent of the state’s total, but this share has risen significantly in recent years. He said the achievement would provide a major boost to Kerala’s tourism sector.

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Referring to the challenges faced earlier, Riyas said that when the LDF government returned to power in 2021, Kerala was badly hit by Covid-19 and the tourism sector was “on a ventilator,” with fears that some tourism centres might shut down permanently.

To address the crisis, the government held discussions with all stakeholders, he said.

"We then prepared a plan to overcome the crisis in each phase. We had a clear perception of how the tourism sector should move ahead when the Covid-19 situation eased, which has now helped us improve tourist arrivals," he said.,"

The minister said multiple strategies, including the use of technology, were adopted to revive tourism. He added that PWD rest houses are being upgraded to offer affordable accommodation options for visitors.

Riyas further said that once the National Highway-66 works are completed, connectivity across the state will improve, enabling more tourists to reach remote districts.