Kerala’s Foreign Tourist Season Kicks Off Amid Cautious Optimism

Quick Summary

• Kerala is preparing for its foreign tourist season, typically running from mid-September to March.
• Climate change has pushed peak tourist visits to mid-November through February, although arrivals begin by October.
• Post-pandemic challenges for Kerala tourism include last-minute bookings replacing pre-bookings due to high airfares and global uncertainties.
• Wellness tourism accounts for nearly 70% of foreign arrivals in Kerala; Sri Lanka offers cheaper alternatives at $100 compared to KeralaS $150 rate.
• The leisure tourism sector faces stiff competition from countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia with simplified visa regimes and affordable packages.
• Factors such as the russia-Ukraine war have impacted tourist inflows from targeted regions like CIS (Commonwealth of autonomous States) countries and Europe.
• Wellness tourists typically stay for up to 30 days. Leisure tourists average five days per visit within the South Indian circuit.
• Poor road infrastructure, especially national highways in Kerala, along with inadequate destination maintenance pose additional challenges.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Kerala’s focus on wellness and leisure tourism underscores its effort to leverage its unique strengths amidst tough global competition. With wellness tourists dominating the sector but facing pricing pressure from Sri Lanka alongside simpler visa processes elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Kerala must seek innovative solutions such as improved marketing or partnerships to stay competitive. Infrastructure deficits-such as poor road conditions-and geopolitical challenges further hinder recovery potential when considering higher airfares post-COVID.The shift in travel patterns suggests adaptability is crucial; welcoming tourists later into winter months might allow effective planning around evolving climate realities.Long-stay wellness visitors contribute significantly through extended expenditures but addressing gaps like destination upkeep may bolster appeal across shorter-duration leisure travelers too.

read more: Published – September 06, 2025 08:52 pm IST