Bengaluru: Tourism and Public Works Minister Adv. P. A. Muhammed Riyaz said that Kerala is setting records every year in terms of domestic tourists. According to the latest figures, 36 percent more domestic tourists have visited Kerala’s tourism destinations than the domestic tourists who came five years ago. He said that we have come a long way compared to the pre-COVID times and that is the change we have achieved in this field.
The Minister was inaugurating the 13th edition of the International Crafts Fair (SIACF) at the Sargalaya Arts and Crafts Village. NABARD Kerala Chief General Manager Nagesh Kumar Anumala inaugurated the ‘NABARD Crafts Zone’.
The Minister said that the Sargalaya Mela has become the biggest craft fair in South India. This fair, which is a glimpse of our rich artistic experiences, is also a tourism venue. It is also becoming a venue that can attract foreign tourists to Kerala and impart this expertise to them. Such fairs will also help in the destination branding of the Craft Village and Kozhikode.
More than two hundred artists from different countries and states are participating in the fair with diverse handicraft products. The aim of such fairs is to preserve traditional skills and heritage and keep them alive through training and sales. At the same time, this will help ensure income and employment opportunities for artisans and attract local people to tourism. This fair, which is taking place in depth towards cultural participation, is becoming an asset for our tourism sector.
Although the influx of foreign tourists has not reached its full potential due to war-like circumstances, the number of tourists has been increasing every year since Covid. Kozhikode is also playing a major role in this movement. Kozhikode district has made a big move during this period.
The tourism sector in Kerala is moving towards a big move. The other day, Rough Guides, a travel company, marked Kerala as the only destination from India among the 26 destinations to see in the world in 2026. Kerala was selected as the best wellness destination two weeks ago in a poll conducted among the readers of Travel – Leisure Magazine. Earlier, the New York Times and Time Magazine had all accurately marked Kerala on the world tourism map. Thus, the move made by Kerala is that tourists have started marking Kerala internationally in every sector.
On the other hand, the recognition received for implementing sustainable tourism development projects. Experts are marking Kerala as a world model in responsible tourism. Not only RT, the government has implemented many projects such as Cine Tourism, Destination Challenge, Destination Wedding, innovative beach tourism projects, innovative adventure tourism projects, heritage tourism, etc. The Wee Parks under the RBs have changed the face of Kerala.