Kerala Reports 2.58 Crore Tourist Arrivals, Setting New Record

Kerala’s tourism sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with the state recording its highest‑ever number of tourist arrivals, officials said on Tuesday. According to Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, over 2.58 crore tourists—both domestic and international—visited the southern state last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 and underscoring strong growth in leisure travel to India’s “God’s Own Country.”

Minister Riyas told reporters that the total of 2,58,80,365 tourist visits in 2025 represented a significant year‑on‑year increase of nearly 12.6 percent compared with the 2024 figure, which stood at roughly 2.30 crore. He noted that the surge was driven primarily by domestic tourism, with more than 2.50 crore Indian visitors coming to explore Kerala’s beaches, hill stations, backwaters and cultural destinations—marking a 36.3 percent uplift over pre‑pandemic levels.

District‑level data reveal that Idukki emerged as the most‑visited area for domestic travellers, attracting nearly 47 lakh tourists in 2025, followed closely by Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad and Kozhikode. Riyas said strategic interventions—including promotional campaigns, improved infrastructure, and upgraded accommodation options—played a key role in expanding tourism footprints beyond traditional hotspots.

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Foreign tourist arrivals also climbed, with over 8.2 lakh international visitors recorded in 2025—an 11.3 percent jump compared with the previous year. Most overseas tourists hailed from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Canada, Australia as well as countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Although international numbers have not yet fully matched pre‑COVID peaks, officials said growth was steady despite geopolitical headwinds.

Officials attributed the robust performance to a combination of infrastructure development and targeted marketing. Projects like the renovation of PWD rest houses, expanded connectivity through national highways, and diversified tourism offerings—from eco‑tourism to cultural circuits—have helped Kerala broaden its appeal to a wide spectrum of travellers.

Industry stakeholders said the record flow of visitors in 2025 not only demonstrates Kerala’s resilience following pandemic disruptions but also highlights the importance of sustainable tourism planning to manage growing demand. With both domestic and international interest continuing to rise, the state’s tourism sector is poised for further expansion in 2026.

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