KOZHIKODE: Kerala’s tourism has hit a new high, with the highest-ever footfall recorded in 2025. Over 2.58 crore tourists — foreign and domestic — visited the state last year, recording an increase of over 12.5% compared to 2024. “The state has entered a phase of consecutive record-breaking growth in tourist arrivals,” Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Monday.
According to official figures, a total of 2,58,80,365 tourists visited the state last year, surpassing the record set in 2024 when the footfall was 2,29,85,363.
The most significant growth was recorded in domestic tourist arrivals. In 2025, Kerala welcomed 2,50,58,366 domestic tourists, up from 2,22,46,989 the previous year — marking a 12.6% year-on-year increase. Compared to pre-Covid levels, domestic tourist arrivals have surged by 36.3%. The minister said this is an indication of a strong recovery and renewed interest in Kerala as a preferred travel destination.
Among the districts, Idukki emerged as the top choice of domestic tourists, receiving 46,79,800 visitors in 2025.
This was followed by Ernakulam (44,29,899), Thiruvananthapuram (43,75,846), Thrissur (31,24,696), Wayanad (14,73,710) and Kozhikode (14,69,253).
Kerala sees 11.3% rise in foreign tourist footfall
While tourists from across India have contributed significantly to this growth, the major source states include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Riyas said foreign tourist arrivals are steadily approaching pre-pandemic levels, noting that global geopolitical tensions and war-like situations in several regions have affected international travel.
Last year, Kerala received 8,21,999 foreign tourists — a 11.3% increase over the previous year. The majority of international visitors came from the UK, the US, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Maldives.
Ernakulam district led in foreign tourist arrivals, followed by Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. The minister attributed the sustained growth to Kerala Tourism’s planned and strategic interventions.
“The renovation and modernisation of government rest houses have significantly improved accommodation standards, with a large proportion of occupants now being tourists,” Riyas told reporters.