Kerala immensely blessed by nature with lush vegetation, tranquil beaches, stunning mountains, hill station, wildlife and bird sanctuary forts and palaces, pilgrim centres, and festivals has marked its place among the global tourist destinations since a long time. Still this warm place continues to attract visitors to explore its vast bounty of nature.
But this tourist season was a very much special for Kerala, as the tourist attendance jumped over 20 per cent this year. The tourism sector in Kerala appears to be doing well with a whooping 19.43 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals and 17.94 percent growth in revenue generated.
Up to November 2007, 443,594 foreign tourists arrived here, which is a record, and the total revenue generated also grew to a staggering Rs.91.26 billion during 2006.This jump in number of tourist shows clearly that this God’s Own Country has enamored the visitors with its pleasant attractions and warm hospitality.
Many tourists were now coming in chartered flights and cruise ships. The good tourist inflow was despite the scare of contagious diseases, an extended monsoon, and the bad condition of roads.
Tourist showed huge interest to explore the beaches, backwaters and mist clad hills of this heavenly abode. With such a huge inflow of tourist this season, all hotels and resorts enjoyed a good business with full occupancy and advance bookings. All premium hotels run by the KTDC saw 100 per cent room occupancy from November itself.
The major areas which were highly on the must visit list of visitors were Thekkady, Kumarakom, Veli, Malampuzha, Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes, Munnar and few more places.
The house boats also had a brisk business this year with such a huge tourist turn out Many tourists have to go for home stays with shortage of hotel rooms.