Kerala’s tourism revenue crossed Rs 36,528 crore during 2018, showing an increase of Rs 2,874.33 crore over last year, despite adverse situations like nipah, floods and hartals.
More than 16.7 million tourists visited Kerala in 2018, compared to 15.76 million the previous year, which include domestic and foreign tourists, recording an increase of 5.93 per cent.
Of the total footfalls, 1.09 million were foreign tourists. The share of revenue from foreign visitors touched Rs 8,764.46 crore. There was also a boost in arrival of domestic tourists to the state.
United Kingdom (UK) accounted for the largest number of foreign visitors, at 200,000, followed by the United States, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia. The number of visitors from other European countries such as Sweden and Italy also rose during the period.
Until March 2018, tourist arrivals to the state recorded a 12.3 per cent growth of foreign visitors and a 20 per cent rise of domestic tourists.
“The number of tourists who visited Kerala in 2018 touched almost half the state’s population. This impressive growth has been achieved against the century’s most severe flood,” said Kadakampally Surendran, Tourism minister of Kerala
“It was through hard work and determination of the Tourism Department, tourism trade and the coordinated efforts of other government departments that the state had been able to achieve this impressive growth,” said Rani George, Secretary of Kerala Tourism.
Tourism Director P Bala Kiran said tourist arrivals in the state last year had been both inspiring.
“We are sure the state will be able to achieve better results this year on the strength of attractive products and new projects conceived and implemented by the government,” said Bala Kiran.
