Key Takeaways:
- Kochi is now Kerala’s top tourist destination, attracting the highest number of both international and domestic tourists in 2023.
- The city drew 1,82,756 international tourists and 30,96,875 domestic tourists, surpassing other popular spots like Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram.
- The United States emerged as the leading source of international tourists to Kerala, with significant growth in arrivals post-COVID-19.
Kochi has risen to the top as Kerala’s leading tourist destination, according to the Tourism Department’s 2023 report.
The city welcomed 1,82,756 international tourists, surpassing other well-known locations such as Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Kochi also led in domestic tourism, drawing 30,96,875 Indian visitors in 2023, with Thiruvananthapuram following behind. Other significant destinations included Guruvayur, Munnar, and Kozhikode City.
A notable shift in international tourism patterns has emerged post-COVID-19, with the United States becoming the top source of foreign tourists to Kerala.
In 2023, 82,206 Americans visited Kerala, more than doubling from 39,935 in 2022. The UK also remained a significant source, with 79,894 visitors.
Kochi’s growing appeal is attributed to its rich cultural heritage, vibrant urban life, and strategic location as a gateway to other attractions in Kerala.
The surge in American tourists underscores Kerala’s expanding global reach and importance in international tourism strategies.
As Kerala continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact, the strong performance of its tourism sector in 2023, with Kochi leading the way, signals a promising future for the state’s tourism industry.
