Kozhikode: Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas said that Kerala is creating new records every year in terms of domestic tourist arrivals. According to the latest figures, more than 36 percent more domestic tourists have visited Kerala’s tourist destinations compared to five years ago. He added that Kerala has gone far ahead even compared to the pre-COVID period, and this clearly reflects the transformation achieved in the tourism sector.
The minister was inaugurating the 13th edition of the International Handicrafts Fair (SIACF) at Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village. NABARD Kerala Chief General Manager Nagesh Kumar Anumala inaugurated the “NABARD Crafts Zone.”
The minister noted that the Sargaalaya fair has now become the largest handicrafts fair in South India. The fair, which offers a close view of Kerala’s rich artistic traditions, also serves as a major tourism platform. It has evolved into a venue capable of attracting foreign tourists to Kerala and showcasing local craftsmanship to them. Such fairs also contribute to the destination branding of the Craft Village and Kozhikode.
More than 200 artisans from various countries and Indian states are participating in the fair with a wide range of handicraft products. The objective of such fairs is to preserve traditional skills and heritage and to sustain them actively through training and sales. At the same time, they help ensure income and employment for artisans and attract local communities into tourism activities.
Kerala’s tourism sector is steadily moving towards a major leap forward. Rough Guides, a travel company, has identified Kerala as the only destination from India among the 26 destinations to visit worldwide in 2026. Just two weeks ago, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine voted Kerala as one of the best wellness destinations. Earlier, publications such as The New York Times and Time Magazine had also prominently marked Kerala on the global tourism map. This growing international recognition across multiple platforms reflects the progress Kerala has achieved.
Experts are now recognising Kerala as a global model for responsible tourism. Beyond RT, the government has implemented numerous initiatives such as cinema tourism, destination challenges, destination weddings, innovative beach tourism projects, modern adventure tourism initiatives, and heritage tourism. The development of We Parks has significantly transformed Kerala’s image. These initiatives have energised the entire tourism sector, expanded into multiple segments, and introduced new marketing strategies.
The minister added that the global recognition received by Kerala Tourism for its innovative digital marketing proves that the government’s policies in this sector were on the right track, and these efforts will be strengthened further in the coming years.
