In the time of slow down of global tourism, Kerala Tourism was able to attract 1.08 crore domestic tourists and 8.5 lakh foreign tourists to the State in 2013.

The new plans in promotional strategy, searching of new markets abroad, use of social media, and cooperation of tour operators and other strategies in the industry helped the State continue to hold the top position and increase tourist arrivals last year.

Foreign tourist arrivals increase from 7, 94,696 in 2012 to 8, and 58,143 during the 12-month period from January 2013 registering an increase of 8.12 per cent. The travel industry helped to find new markets globally, to overcome the slowdown, and retain the top position as a destination of all seasons.

The 12.22 per cent increase shows the contribution of tourism to the State. Foreign exchange earnings received by the tourism industry in the State is Rs.5,560.77 crore in 2013. “The 21.63 percentage increase reflects the position of the Kerala travel trade in the international market.

Ernakulam district get the top  position in tourist arrivals with 3,52,314 arrivals in 2013, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 2,68,444 arrivals. The third is Idukki district with 68,880 arrivals. The number of foreign tourist arrivals was the highest in February (1,15,403) followed by January (1,13,627) and 1,01,909 in December.