BY INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA
NEW DELHI | 24 OCTOBER 2026
In a bid to boost domestic footfalls ahead of the peak Dussehra–Diwali festive season, Kerala Tourism has unveiled a vibrant new portfolio of experiential products, travel packages, and destinations tailored for the inbound Indian market.
Centred around the theme ‘A Wonderful World,’ the department recently hosted a premier B2B networking event at The Lalit New Delhi to spotlight the state’s evolution into a high-quality, experiential tourism hub.
Speaking at the event, Sumit Kumar Thakur, Additional Director (General) of Kerala Tourism, delivered a comprehensive presentation showcasing the state’s diverse offerings. He emphasized that alongside Kerala’s iconic attractions—including pristine beaches, misty hill stations, and traditional houseboat cruises on tranquil backwaters—a new array of curated travel products has been introduced to deliver a more holistic and memorable visitor experience.
Designed to position the state as an integrated, multi-destination getaway, the newly launched packages feature comprehensive, week-long pan-state itineraries. These itineraries aim to seamlessly blend scenic stays with immersive cultural experiences, offering domestic travelers a complete taste of Kerala’s famed natural beauty and heritage.
In a major boost to the travel and hospitality sectors, the Kerala government will soon unveil a policy framework to accord formal ‘industry status’ to the tourism sector. The move aims to position the state as a safe, viable, and highly sustainable investment destination.
The decision comes on the heels of a significant all-season surge in tourism. Official data reveals that domestic tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1) grew by 10.98 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.
“Getting industry status has been a long-pending demand of stakeholders in the sector. We expect this decision will yield a lot of investment,” declared P. C. Vishnunadh, Kerala Minister for Tourism, Cinema and Cultural Affairs.
The long-awaited structural shift is expected to unlock institutional benefits, subsidies, and streamlined clearances for hospitality entrepreneurs, further accelerating the state’s post-pandemic economic growth.
Kerala’s tourism landscape is undergoing a major transformation with the State Tourism Department officially launching its ‘Brand Wayanad’ initiative to spotlight the upland district’s natural beauty, heritage, and unique cultural and agricultural traditions.
The initiative marks a strategic shift toward sustainable regional cooperation, aligning with the government’s broader policy to collaborate with neighbouring states. Authorities are currently exploring joint tourism circuits that link geographically and culturally similar destinations, including Coorg and Mysore in Karnataka, and the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, Kerala has updated its tourism map to feature new circuits traversing key cultural, historical, and spiritual landmarks. Chief among these is the highly promoted Kochi-Muziris heritage network, which showcases Kerala’s historic maritime and cultural ties to West Asia and the Mediterranean. Alongside these new routes, the state has upgraded its tourism infrastructure to establish a completely barrier-free and accessible ecosystem for all travelers.
Kerala’s tourism sector has received a major international boost ahead of the peak travel season. Lonely Planet has featured the state’s rich culinary culture among the top 25 global travel experiences in its prestigious ‘25 Best Experiences In 2026’ report.
Buoyed by the recognition, the state has launched curated tour packages and streamlined travel logistics to ensure a hassle-free experience for visitors. “Thanks to new products and packages, the state is fully equipped to receive increased footfalls this season,” said Biju K., Secretary of Kerala Tourism.
Official outreach campaigns have also generated significant momentum. Kerala Tourism Director Anjana M. stated that the positive response to these promotional drives is expected to reflect heavily in arrival numbers during the unfolding season, paving the way for a highly successful year for the state’s hospitality industry.
( MR. INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED , MULTIPLE AWARD – WINNING TRAVEL JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR)
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