Kerala Tourism is all smiles these days! After being hit by global recession and the Thekkady boat tragedy of September, the state got a boost when National Geographic rated its backwaters as the world's 23rd best tourist destination. As per State tourism minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the rating by National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations has proved to be a great encouragement for the tourism industry of the state. The Tourism Ministry is all set to make the rating as its USP in the days to come.
Kerala Tourism Ministry has just finished with a series of road shows in Europe. It is all set to showcase the next round of road shows in Italy, France, and Australia. As per Balakrishnan, in all these road shows, the National Geographic rating will be targeted as the main campaign point. As such, Kerala's tourism industry has seen a constant growth in the past few years. In 2008, the tourist arrivals in the state grew by 14.41, while the tourism revenue witnesses as much as 14.84 percent growth.
The peak tourism season in Kerala begins in mid-November and lasts till the end of March. During this time, tourists from all across the world are seen visiting the state. However, after the boat tragedy of September, it was being feared that the charter flights may not arrive. But, the National Geographic rating has given a fillip to the tourism industry once again. In fact, it has even had a positive effect on the cruise tourism in Kerala.
