Kerala eyes 7.5% growth in foreign tourists in FY17

The Dollar Business Bureau

Considering the surge in inbound tourism, Kerala is looking at a growth of 7.5% in tourist arrivals from international markets in the current financial year, with major focus on culture, adventure and Ayurveda.

“In January-September 2016 period, the state received 7,38,515 foreign tourists and 9,24,125 domestic tourists, a growth of 5.61% and 6.01%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2015,” Kerala Tourism Department Tourist Information Officer Shine KS told PTI.

The overall growth was 5.98% till September 2016, with 1.19 lakh tourists visiting the state termed as 'Gods Own Country', he added.

Looking at the current trend, the state, overall in the FY 2016-17, is expecting 7.5% growth in the influx of international tourists, with an increase in 6.5% of domestic tourists arrival, Shine said.

“Considering the numbers from January to September, we are confident that we can achieve our target in FY 2017,” he said.

Shine further said that Kerala is eyeing an increase of 7% foreign travellers and 6% domestic tourists, in the financial year 2018.

He stated that the figures might seem small, but they are significant, as we are promoting the state as a hub of responsible tourism.

With Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu being the two major source markets of Kerala, the state tourism is now looking for new markets such as Gujarat and the eastern states of India.

Likewise, among the foreign markets, Germany, UK and France are the major source markets for the state.

“In addition to strengthening the existing foreign markets, we are further looking to explore other European countries and overseas markets,” Shine said.

To promote tourism in Kerala, the state government has started 'Green Carpet Initiative' that emphasises on a 10-point agenda aimed to give a face lift to some specific tourist destinations.