Kerala is targeting up to 15% growth in number of tourist arrivals in 2018 as it undertakes a slew of initiatives to hard sell the state as a preferred tourist destination, a senior government official said.
Kerala witnessed overall growth of 10.94 per cent in number of tourist arrivals to the state in 2017. Domestic tourists rose by 11.39%, while the number of foreign tourists rose by 5.1% for the year.
“We are looking at an overall growth of up to 15% in total number of tourist arrivals to the state in 2018. We are looking at a growth of 15% rise in domestic tourists and 10% rise in foreign tourist arrivals,” Kerala Tourism Director P Balakiran told.
The state has framed an action plan under the Tourism Policy, which was published last year to project Kerala as a 365 days destination, he added.
“Earlier we were predominantly a winter destination, now we want to make it a year long destination. Secondly now most tourists come to South Kerala circuit... We want to start a new tourism circuit in North Kerala,” Balakiran said. Another strategy that the Kerala Tourism is planning to undertake is to promote the state as an adventure and activity destination as now it is mainly seen as a leisure destination, he added.