Kerala tourism sees surge in visitors from Gulf region

Kerala is experiencing a significant shift in its tourism demographics, with visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries now surpassing traditional European markets. According to state tourism data, the GCC collectively accounted for approximately 136,000 foreign tourist visits in 2025, a 26 percent increase from 2024.

Oman emerged as a primary driver of this growth, recording 65,132 arrivals in 2025, a nearly 70 percent increase from the previous year. This volume placed Oman third among Kerala’s foreign tourist markets, ahead of Germany and France. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also established themselves as major source markets, contributing 31,593 and 26,255 visitors respectively.

To capitalize on this trend, Kerala Tourism participated in the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai under the theme ‘Green Peace – Yalla Kerala’. State Tourism Minister P. C. Vishnunadh emphasized the importance of strengthening air connectivity and promoting the state’s diverse offerings, including Ayurveda, wellness, and adventure tourism, to further engage the Gulf region.