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Tourism is a global happening. It is an expression of man’s natural instincts to move from one place to another.
Tourism has emerged as keralas core competency sector, creating income and employment and contributing significantly to the development of the state .
As far as Kerala is concerned, the state's potential for tourism has been well accepted. Tourism is Kerala's boom industry. Strategically located at the south western tip of India, Kerala enjoys unique geographic features which has made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. The state is a breathtakingly beautiful green, greenland. Natural endowments like tranquil beaches, soothing backwaters, exhilarating hill stations, enchanting waterfalls, historic monuments, spectacular artforms, rejuvenating health packages, exotic wildlife and year-round festivals offer excellent investment opportunities in tourism related activities. All of which offer the tourists a unique experience, which enchants him throughout his life.National Geographic Traveller has chosen Kerala as one of the fifty “must see” destinations during ones life.
Again, Kerala has in store more for the tourists. The state can boast of having the most advanced society in Kerala. It has a hundred per cent literate people, the lowest infant mortality rate, the highest life expectancy rate, the highest quality of life etc. As a destiation, Kerala can attract the independent traveler with its unique qualities like the pristine environment, the rich and vibrant culture and the high quality of life for the local inhabitants brought about by the state's investments since Independence in the field of education, health care, institutions of democracy, social justice etc. The state is also endowed with its unique natural, cultural and social resources.
Kerala, a state situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by the National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism industry is a major contributor to the state's economy.
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Until the early 1980s, Kerala was a hitherto unknown destination, with most tourism circuits concentrated around the north of the country. Aggressive marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation-the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state-laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala Tourism was able to transform itself into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tag line Kerala- God's Own Country was adopted in its tourism promotions and became synonymous with the state. Today, Kerala Tourism is a global superbrand and regarded as one of the destinations with the highest brand recall. In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourists–an increase of 23.68% in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, thus making it one of the fastest growing tourism destination in the world.
Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The "" region - an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada-also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performances.
The state's tourism agenda promotes ecologically sustained tourism, which focuses on the local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering and personal growth of the local population. Efforts are taken to minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.
Location : Kerala is a small strip of land lying at the south-west corner of India. It lies to the north of the equator between 8° 18' and 12° 48' north latitude and 74° 52' and 77° 24' east longitude.
Extend : Kerala extends over an area of 38,863 sq.km which is only 1.03 percent of the total area of India. It has a total coastline of 580 km. Its width varies greatly from west to east. It is about 120 kilometres at its maximum and just 30 kilometres at its minimum.
Neighbours : Kerala is bordered by land on three sides and by the Arabian sea at the west. It shares its border with the state of Karnataka at the north and the rest of Kerala shares it border with Tamil Nadu. In fact, almost the whole of the western and southern frontiers of Kerala is surrounded by Tamil Nadu.
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