States » SouthPosted at: Oct 13 2026 6:26PM


Kerala Tourism targets festive-season surge with new packages, expanded circuits

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 13 (UNI) Kerala Tourism is targeting an increase in domestic and inbound tourist arrivals during the upcoming Dussehra–Diwali holiday season by promoting new tourism products, curated travel packages and integrated destination experiences.
The state showcased its diverse tourism offerings at a business-to-business (B2B) partnership and networking meet held at The Lalit New Delhi, under the theme ‘A Wonderful World’, highlighting Kerala’s growing appeal as an experiential tourism destination.
Kerala Tourism Additional Director General Sumit Kumar Thakur made a presentation outlining the state’s tourism strengths, ranging from beaches, hill stations and houseboat cruises through tranquil backwaters to distinctive cultural, culinary and heritage experiences.
The packages position Kerala as an integrated destination where visitors can explore multiple attractions and experiences through a week-long itinerary covering different parts of the state.
The initiative comes amid encouraging tourism trends, with domestic tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2026 registering a 10.98 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period last year, according to the latest tourism statistics.
The partnership meet also assumes significance as the state government is preparing to unveil a policy framework granting industry status to the tourism sector, a long-standing demand of stakeholders expected to encourage fresh investments in travel, hospitality and related infrastructure.
Tourism, Cinema and Cultural Affairs Minister P C Vishnunadh, in a message, said industry status had been a long-pending demand of stakeholders and expressed confidence that the move would attract substantial investment into the sector.
Earlier this month, the Tourism Department launched the ‘Brand Wayanad’ initiative to showcase the natural beauty, heritage, agricultural traditions and cultural wealth of Wayanad district in northern Kerala, which shares borders with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The initiative aligns with the government's strategy of developing tourism through partnerships with destinations within and outside the country. Joint tourism circuits linking regions with similar attractions, including Coorg and Mysuru in Karnataka, the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, are being explored to broaden travel options and promote sustainable cooperation.
Kerala has also identified new tourism circuits connecting cultural, historical and spiritual landmarks. A calendar of cultural events and traditional festivals enables visitors to plan their trips according to their interests and preferred travel dates.
Among the major attractions being promoted is the Kochi-Muziris heritage network, which highlights Kerala’s centuries-old maritime and cultural connections with West Asia and the Mediterranean through its historic role in the spice trade.
The state has also upgraded tourism infrastructure to improve accessibility and make destinations more inclusive. The adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools is helping streamline the flow of information, simplify travel planning and improve the coordination of tour packages and logistics.
Kerala’s culinary heritage has received international recognition, with global travel guide Lonely Planet featuring it in its ‘25 Best Experiences in 2026’ list. Kerala was the only Indian state included in the prestigious selection, further strengthening its appeal among international travellers.
Tourism Secretary Biju K said the state was well-prepared to welcome more visitors during the upcoming season, backed by new products and packages offering a wide range of destinations and experiences.
Kerala Tourism Director Anjana M said outreach campaigns conducted across the country had received a positive response and expressed confidence that the interest generated would translate into increased tourist arrivals during the festive season.
UNI DS
Tags: #Kerala Tourism targets festive-season surge with new packages# expanded circuits
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