Gulf tourists are overtaking Europeans as key visitors, says Kerala Tourism Minister

Kerala is witnessing a shift in its international tourist market, with the Gulf states overtaking Europe as a key source of visitors, according to Kerala's Tourism Minister PC Vishnunadh. Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have emerged as the largest sources of foreign tourists to the state, with Oman being the standout market, accounting for 65,132 visitors in 2025, a significant increase of 69.7% from 2024.

The GCC collectively accounted for about 136,000 foreign tourist visits to Kerala in 2025, surpassing the combined numbers of France and Germany. The minister attributes this growth to Kerala's strategic promotion of its monsoon season, which is now marketed as a "green, cool and refreshing escape" to Gulf travellers. The state is working to integrate traditional Ayurveda practitioners into the tourism ecosystem, highlighting the unique offering of authentic Ayurveda as a major differentiator.

Despite the strong Gulf numbers, Kerala's international tourism market has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 821,999 foreign tourist visits in 2025, still 30.91% below the 1.19 million recorded in 2019. The minister is targeting a further increase of 15 to 16 lakh annual foreign tourist visits over the next five years, driven by improved air connectivity and the state's continuous efforts to market Kerala as a desirable destination for Gulf travellers.