THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite two years going to waste due to Covid induced lockdown and travel ban, the number of foreign tourists to Kerala is on the rise. According to the tourism department, more than half a crore foreigners have visited Kerala in the last seven years since 2016. Figures indicate that Kerala still has the potential for a huge boom in the tourism sector. Kerala's climate and nature are the main factors that attract foreigners to Kerala.

During the seven years since 2016, 53.50 lakh foreign tourists have visited Kerala. According to the Office of the Director of Tourism, 43.10 lakh people arrived from 133 countries during the period from May 2016 to May 2021. 10.39 lakh foreign tourists also arrived from May 2021 to May 2023. People from 183 countries have visited the state during this period. The largest number of arrivals in 2022 and 2023 was from the United States - 82,206 in 2023 and 44,851 in 2022. In 2021, more tourists came from Russia -12,564.

If we add the lost time due to the covid lockdown and global travel bans, the number of foreigners who came to Kerala would have been even higher. Experts are of the opinion that Kerala needs to pay more attention in sectors incuding infrastructure to properly utilize the popularity.

Things including the recent collapse of the floating bridge at Varkala have adversely affected the state's tourism. Experts are also of the opinion that Kerala can achieve a better position in the global tourism sector by focusing on such matters.