Foreign, domestic tourist footfall increases in Kerala

CHANDIGARH: Kerala has witnessed a healthy increase in both foreign as well as domestic tourist arrivals, thanks to various tourist-friendly initiatives launched by the state government, a Kerala Tourism department official said here today.

"While the foreign tourist arrivals went up from 7,94,696 in 2012 to 8,58,143 in 2013 registering an increase of 8.12 per cent, the domestic tourist arrivals also registered a 7.75 per cent increase with the arrivals going up from 1,00,76,854 in 2012 to 1,08,57,811 in 2013," Anil V S, Information Officer, Department of Kerala Tourism told reporters.

The total revenue, from the tourism sector touched Rs 22,926.55 crore in 2013 compared to Rs 21,125 crore in 2012, he said at an event organised for marketing the tourism potential of the state.

"Foreign exchange earnings received by the tourism industry in the State went up from Rs 4,571.69 crore in 2012 to Rs 5.560.77 crore in 2013," he said.

Anil also touched upon the two new initiatives, 'Seaplane Project' and 'Project Muziris' rolled out by the state government to attract more tourists.

"The Sea-Plane Project, for which we are tying up with private carriers, is aimed towards improving last mile connectivity by air to our destinations across the state. The Project Muziris is directed to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris in Central Kerala," he said.

For the Sea-Plane Project, the immediate plan is to provide this service initially in the priority circuit, consisting of the three airports of Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin and Calicut and the prime destinations viz. Astamudi, Punnamada, Kumarakom, Bolgatty and Bekal, he said.