TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 TOURISM INDIA FEBRUARY 2019 | Page 19

T
he number of domestic and
foreign tourist arrivals to
Kerala showed a healthy
increase, coupled with a record
revenue earning, in 2018, in a clear
demonstration that the tourism
sector has rebounded quickly after the
devastating August floods.
Over 16.7 million tourists visited
Kerala in 2018 as against 15.76 million
the previous year, recording an increase
of 5.93 per cent. Of the total footfalls,
1.09 million were foreign tourists, who
visited the state that has been rated as
one of world’s must-see destinations
by international media and bestowed
with coveted honours by premier
tourism fairs across the globe.
The share of revenue from foreign
visitors touched Rs 8,764.46 crore,
during the period that also saw a
spurt in arrival of domestic tourists
as well. Domestic tourism sector also
gained during the period with visitors
exceeding 15.6 million, showing an
increase of 6.35 per cent.
Significantly, in the first quarter of
the year up to March 31, tourist arrival
to the state recorded an impressive
12.3 per cent growth in the case of
foreign visitors and 20 per cent in the
case of domestic tourists. The Nipah
outbreak in May in some parts of
the state and the crippling floods in
August led to a fall in arrivals. This
trend, however, was quickly reversed
by the determined actions of the state
government and Tourism Department,
putting back the sector firmly on the
growth trajectory.
“It is significant that the number
of tourists who visited Kerala
almost touched half the state’s total
population. This impressive growth has
been achieved against adverse factors
such as the century’s severest deluge,”
said Mr. Kadakampally Surendran,
Minister for Tourism, Kerala.
The UK accounted for the largest
number of foreign visitors of over
200,000, followed by the United States,
KERALA NETTED
A RECORD
REVENUE OF
RS 36,528.01
CRORE FROM
THE TOURISM
SECTOR LAST
YEAR, CLOCKING
AN INCREASE
OF RS 2,874.33
CRORE.
France, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
The number of visitors from other
European countries like Sweden and
Italy also increased during the period.
“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 Ms. Rani
George IAS, Secretary, Kerala Tourism.
The campaign mounted through
the media, including social media
platforms, also played a vital role in
this success story, she noted.
Mr. P Bala Kiran IAS, Director of
Kerala Tourism said the tourist arrivals
in the state last year had been both
inspiring and impressive. “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.”
February 2019 Tourism India
17