Significantly, domestic tourist arrivals recorded an increase of 18.97 per cent compared to 2019…reports Asian Lite News
Kerala has set a new record in domestic tourist arrivals in 2023 with 2.18 crore tourist footfalls, a 15.92 per cent increase from the previous year, Minister for Tourism and Public Works P A Mohamed Riyas said on Monday.
In 2022, Kerala witnessed 1,88,67,414 domestic tourist footfalls.
Significantly, domestic tourist arrivals recorded an increase of 18.97 per cent compared to 2019, the minister told a press conference here.
In 2023, Ernakulam district witnessed the highest influx of domestic tourists with 44,87,930 visitors, followed by Idukki (36,33,584), Thiruvananthapuram (35,89,932), Thrissur (24,78,573), and Wayanad (17,50,267).
The state also witnessed a healthy increase in international tourist arrivals with 6,49,057 visitors in 2023, as compared to 3,45,549 tourists in 2022, indicating a remarkable growth of 87.83 per cent.
Ernakulam district was visited by 2,79,904 tourists from abroad, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (1,48,462), Idukki (1,03,644), Alappuzha (31,403), and Kottayam (28,458).
“This is a testament to Kerala Tourism’s vigorous efforts based on well-crafted policy initiatives and meticulously implemented promotional strategies within and outside the country,” Riyas said.
As for the number of visitors from abroad, the minister pointed out that despite a significant uptick, it was still 45.45 per cent lower when compared to international tourist arrivals before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though there has been a steady increase in the arrival of foreign tourists, which was adversely impacted by the pandemic, it will take some more time to reach the pre-pandemic level, he said.
“The conflicts in some parts of the world also affect international tourism. Despite these challenges, there has been good progress in foreign tourist footfalls in Kerala. Adventure tourism events planned for this year will help us regain much of the lost ground. We are also working on plans to attract more tourists to the Malabar region,” the minister added.
Last year, Kerala’s widely-appreciated Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission has made it to the Global List of Case Studies of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), earning yet another laurel for the state’s innovative programme for grassroots development amid promoting tourism adhering to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UNWTO cited that Kerala Tourism has succeeded in upholding the world body’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while promoting travel industry in the state.
Kerala has been cited for employing local resources and products while boosting RT destinations, thus finding resources to implement its objectives towards realising the SDGs.
The dashboard displays Kerala Tourism’s website link for details about the state’s activities.
Congratulating the State RT Mission on the accomplishment, Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said tourists across the globe are watching our activities with great interest and the UNWTO’s recognition will further inspire us to promote eco-friendly tourism.
Kerala’s RT Mission earned the place among seven G20 countries with Maharashtra being the only other Indian state to figure in the list. The two Indian case studies are from among seven G20 countries to figure on the UWTO list: Mexico, Germany, Mauritius, Turkey, Italy, Brazil and Canada, being the others. Kerala RT’s selection to the Special Dashboard has been based on the state’s tourism promotion initiatives in adherence to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IMD issues advisory to fishermen along Kerala coast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an advisory to fishermen to prohibit fishing activities along the southern Kerala coast and Lakshadweep region following predictions of strong winds and severe weather conditions.
However, there are no restrictions on fishing along the Karnataka coast.
For June 1, the IMD has forecast strong winds ranging from 35 to 45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h along the southern Kerala coast and Lakshadweep region.
“Strong winds and rough weather conditions are expected on June 1 in Lakshadweep, Maldives region, adjacent southern Kerala coast, Kanyakumari coast, Gulf of Mannar, southeastern and southwestern Bay of Bengal, southeastern Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea with wind speeds of 35 to 45 km/h and gusts up to 55 km/h. The southern Sri Lankan coast may experience winds of 45 to 55 km/h, with gusts up to 65 km/h,” it said.
The weather department has predicted strong winds and rough weather conditions for June 2 in the Southeastern Arabian Sea, the southwestern Arabian Sea, the southern Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea, with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari coast, central and southern Sri Lankan coast, with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
For June 1-2, strong winds and rough weather conditions are likely at the Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, and central southwestern Arabian Sea with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
For June 3, strong winds and rough weather conditions are predicted over the southern bay of Bengal, southeastern bay of Bengal, central southwestern bay of Bengal, and the northern Andhra Pradesh coast with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari coast, southern Sri Lankan coast, and southwestern Bay of Bengal with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
On June 4, strong winds and rough weather conditions are likely at the Gulf of Mannar, the southern Bay of Bengal, the central Bay of Bengal, and the northern Andhra Pradesh coast, with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, central southwestern Arabian Sea, and northern Omani coast with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
On June 5, the same is predicted over the Gulf of Mannar, southern Bay of Bengal, southeastern Bay of Bengal, central southwestern Bay of Bengal, and northern Andhra Pradesh coast with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, central southwestern Arabian Sea, and northwestern Arabian Sea with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
Fishing activities are prohibited in the above-mentioned regions during the specified periods.
Fishermen and coastal residents are advised to refer to the accompanying map for clarity on the affected maritime zones.
Meanwhile, the monsoon hit the country’s mainland two days in advance of its normal date of onset on June 1. Normally, the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala on June 1 and it advances over most of northeast India by June 5.
Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala two days before the normal date and over northeast India, six days before the normal date, according to the IMD. (ANI)
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