Kochi leads Kerala destinations preferred by foreign tourists; Thekkady and Thiruvananthapuram follow

MALAPPURAM: The city attractions of Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are drawing large numbers of foreign tourists to Kerala. During the 2025-26 financial year, Kochi received 1,98,202 foreign visitors, the highest in the state. Thekkady came second with 79,736 visitors, while Thiruvananthapuram city ranked third with 72,407.

Munnar secured the fourth position with 67,744 visitors. A total of 8,21,999 foreign tourists visited Kerala during the financial year, spending Rs 7,382.02 crore. According to the Tourism Department, Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Kozhikode city, Maradu, Kuttanad and Varkala are also among the preferred destinations of foreign tourists.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala has been increasing since the COVID pandemic. The state received 60,487 foreign visitors in 2021. The number rose to 3,45,549 in 2022, 6,49,057 in 2023 and 7,38,374 in 2024.

Increase in tourists from Oman

The United Kingdom topped the list of countries sending tourists to Kerala, with 1,22,137 visitors, accounting for 14.86 per cent of the total. The United States came second with 1,07,613 visitors (13.09 per cent). The increase in visitors from Oman is particularly notable. Their number rose from 38,387 in 2024 to 65,132 in 2025. Oman ranked third, accounting for 7.92 per cent of the total foreign visitors. Germany came fourth with 49,125 tourists.

Tourists from other countries:

France – 47,008
Malaysia – 43,692
Australia – 37,238
Maldives – 32,324
Saudi Arabia – 31,593
UAE – 26,255

Other popular destinations in Kerala:

Destination..............Foreign visitors
Kumarakom..............63,394
Kovalam...................61,228
Alappuzha................45,566

"Tourists from GCC countries are spending more money in Kerala. The government is planning to make better use of opportunities in sectors such as Ayurveda to encourage tourists to extend their stay in the state."
- P C Vishnunadh
Tourism Minister