While tourism is opening to full swing after the Coivid-19 pandemic, one of the most prominent states in tourism, under the guidance of Director Tourism – Krishna V Teja IAS, Kerala is making a strategic shift to attract global travellers towards the potential but lesser known destinations available all across the state.
Historically, tourism in Kerala has been focused around a few prime destinations. For example, the backwater hubs of Alappuzha and Kumarakom, high range stations like Thekkady and Munnar, and the beach tourism hubs like Kovalam and Marari. No doubt, these are invaluable assets and will continue to lure visitors.
“However, while retaining these time-tested spots as prime assets, we are making a strategic shift to present the entire state before the global audience based on the concept of ‘exploring the unexplored’. This shift is the result of deep thinking and serious planning. The Malabar region, as north Kerala is known world over, prominently figures in this scheme,” informed Krishna Teja while elaborating on this ambitious plan.
“Each village, town or city in Kerala has a different experience to offer for visitors. It could be the stunning natural beauty, riveting history which saw intermingling of civilisations, tangible and intangible heritage, cultural vibrancy and so and so forth,” he added.
According to the Director, there is hardly any place in Kerala that will disappoint the tourists. “This would inspire tourists to travel to many places during their stay in the state. They can engage themselves in so many absorbing activities like walking, hiking, trekking in the countryside or high-ranges; or rowing in a country craft; or striking up conversations with local people to know about their lives and cultural background; enjoy the local food and join in the festivals etc.,” he added.
Kerala also offers a variety of experiences for tourists like houseboats, caravanning, stay in jungle lodges, plantation visits, homestays and urban landscape, ayurvedic wellness solutions, village walks and a whole range of outdoor activities including trekking to verdant hills.
The road and rail connectivity in Kerala is excellent so that the tourists can travel from one city to other towns and villages without any difficulty.
While elaborating on his expectations from the year 2022 – which is the post pandemic year as well, Krishna Teja says that although Kerala Tourism’s focus has shifted from notching up increased arrival numbers, the endeavour will also be to maintain an increasing trajectory of footfalls.
“Kerala Tourism’s new products and initiatives will definitely help to achieve this. The trend has been set. The first quarter of this year saw nearly 73 per cent increase in domestic tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. We are expecting 2022 to close with an all-time high number,” he concludes.
