Kerala Tourism to develop 100 new tourism destinations in five years, says Minister

Kerala Tourism aims to develop 100 new destinations over the next five years, with each year seeing the introduction of 20 destinations, according to Tourism Minister P. Vishnunadh. Budget allocations for infrastructure development at these locations will be made annually. Kochi, for instance, will receive a ₹100-crore project to enhance tourism infrastructure in Fort Kochi.

The detailed plan for the project is currently being finalized. The establishment of J.C. Daniel International Film City is set to begin in six months, contingent on the identification of suitable land. Another proposed project is an oceanarium. The minister, speaking at a press conference ahead of the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), emphasized the need to standardize homestays and provide training to operators to maintain a uniform quality.

While European tourism to the state is largely saturated, there has been a steady rise in visitors from West Asia and Russia. Oman has become the third-largest source of tourists, with monsoon travel gaining popularity. The UK and US have also seen a 13% and 9% increase in tourist arrivals, respectively. Efforts are underway to blend culture and art into tourism offerings, along with a growing interest in medical tourism.

The objective is to shift from traditional sightseeing to experiential tourism. The slogan 'Be a Keralite for a Day' is being promoted to enhance this trend.