October 31, 2025 TnH Global

Kerala Tourism rolls out riveting products, experiences as holiday season kicks in

State sets a model in sustainable, inclusive experiences: Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas

Kerala Tourism has unpacked a set of experiential products tailored to meet the demands of the domestic and international travelers as the festival and winter holiday seasons kick in, assuring visitors a quality time while engaging with the state’s mesmeric charm and famed hospitality.

Besides reinforcing its credentials as a globally acclaimed hospitable and safe destination, the state has come up with a slew of riveting experiences, including new locales, side-by-side the time-honoured backwaters, beaches and hill stations.

Through its strategic initiatives Kerala has set a new model of sustainable and inclusive tourism development, Kerala Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas, said in a message to the media session organised by Kerala Tourism Department as part of its ‘Network Kerala’ B2B Tourism Meet held at the Crowne Plaza, Okhla, in the city today.

“As a global brand, Kerala Tourism has made a paradigm shift by firmly positioning it as an inclusive, experiential and regenerative destination that offers diverse choices to visitors in the length and breadth of the state,” says Shri Riyas.

Kerala Tourism’s Tourist Information Officer Shri S Sreekumar made a presentation highlighting the unique products and experiences of God’s Own Country.

The day-long event saw sellers from Kerala and buyers from the national capital coming together to clinch business deals for promoting the destination in the ongoing season. The event concluded with a cultural programme, showcasing the state’s diverse performing traditions.

Significantly, the current in-bound season for Kerala coincides with the 6^th edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, beginning on December 12. One of world’s major contemporary art shows with convergence of artists from across the world, the event will go on till March 31^st, 2026.

Also, the state recently unveiled a Vision Document which will serve as a template for development of tourism that will unlock Kerala’s untapped potential as an ever-fascinating destination, besides bringing to fore many best kept secrets.

The vision document emphasises on tourism business innovations and investments in related products, including wellness tourism and adventure tourism, besides harnessing the potential of heritage, cultural, and spiritual tourism.

The policy aims to transform Kerala into a complete digital and smart tourism ecosystem through integrated visitor management, smart ticketing, AR/VR (augmented/virtual reality) experiences, and analytics based on artificial intelligence.

New products and packages rolled out by the state have received a highly encouraging response at networking events and tourism fairs in major cities in India and abroad.

Similarly, Kerala Tourism earlier this month hosted India’s first Travel Literary Festival, ‘Yaanam 2025’, at the picturesque coastal town of Varkala near the state capital. The event drew top travel writers and social media influencers from across the world. Moved by the ambience and vibrancy of the three-day event, packed with engaging conversations, the participants wanted it to be an annual festival.

Kerala also stands out as the first state to adopt a focused woman-friendly tourism policy, firming up its global standing as a safe and clean destination for women to travel and experience its diverse charms, including a hands-on feel of the cultural and livelihood traditions of the village communities.

Of late, there has been an uptick in footfall of women tourists in the state, both as solo travelers and as part of all-woman group packages, many of which are conducted by women entrepreneurs themselves.

Kerala has also showcased its readiness to the world for Destination Weddings and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), both segments developed with a robust partnership with the tourism and hospitality industry.

The state’s premier tourism industry body, the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society, in partnership with the government, held a Wedding and MICE Conclave in Kochi in August this year, which was attended by buyers from around the world.

With its spectacular landscapes, world-class facilities and seamless blend of tradition and modernity, the state is attracting event planners, couples and corporate clients looking for a distinctive and memorable experience.

The state has also made a strong reputation in sustainable and inclusive tourism through its globally appreciated Responsible Tourism Mission Society, which has added a string of destinations in partnership with local communities.

Alongside the new projects, the state’s core assets like beaches, hill stations, houseboats and backwaters continue to elevate the totality of the visitors’ experience. These include village and plantation visits, stay at jungle resorts, homestays, Ayurveda-based wellness solutions, adventure activities and countryside and heritage walk and trekking to verdant hills.

The strategic initiatives in the tourism sector, a key contributor to the state’s gross domestic revenue, is evident from the sharp increase in footfalls in the last few years, surpassing the pre-pandemic numbers.

The physical infrastructure related to tourism has also been reconfigured by adopting sustainable conservation models and introducing a cutting-edge design policy for elevating the aesthetic appeal of public assets.