The record-breaking year was driven primarily by a surge in domestic tourism. 2,50,58,366 domestic tourists visited Kerala in 2025, up from 2,22,46,989 in 2024 — a year-on-year increase of 12.6 per cent. International tourist arrivals also contributed to the growth, though at a more modest pace, reflecting the ongoing global trend of domestic travel outpacing international tourism in post-pandemic recovery patterns.

Idukki: The Surprise Champion

Perhaps the most striking finding in the 2025 tourism data was the emergence of Idukki as Kerala’s top domestic tourist destination, recording 46,79,800 visitors. The hill district, home to Munnar’s tea gardens, Thekkady’s Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the stunning Meesapulimala peak, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a quiet agricultural region to a tourism powerhouse.

Idukki’s rise can be attributed to several factors. The growing popularity of Munnar as a year-round destination for both domestic weekenders and international visitors has driven hotel construction and infrastructure development. Social media has played a significant role, with viral Instagram reels and YouTube vlogs showcasing Munnar’s misty landscapes, the Mattupetty Dam, and the Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr) generating enormous interest among younger Indian travellers.

Ernakulam, which includes the commercial city of Kochi and the historic Fort Kochi area, ranked second with 44,29,899 visitors. The port city’s combination of colonial architecture, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (India’s largest contemporary art exhibition), and its role as a gateway to Kerala’s famous backwaters makes it a perennial favourite. Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, recorded 43,75,846 visitors, while Thrissur — known for the spectacular Thrissur Pooram festival — also featured prominently in the top five.

Tourism Revenue and Economic Impact

Kerala’s tourism earnings have grown in tandem with visitor numbers. Total tourism earnings (direct and indirect) reached ₹45,053.61 crore in 2024, marking a 3.28 per cent increase from ₹43,621.22 crore in 2023. While 2025 revenue figures are yet to be officially released, the 12.5 per cent jump in visitor numbers strongly suggests that earnings for 2025 will substantially exceed the 2024 figure.

Direct domestic tourism earnings in 2024 stood at ₹28,446.78 crore, while direct foreign exchange earnings from international tourists were ₹6,631.02 crore — both representing increases over the previous year. The tourism sector is one of Kerala’s largest employers, supporting an estimated 15 lakh (1.5 million) direct and indirect jobs across hospitality, transport, food service, retail, and cultural sectors.

The economic significance of tourism to Kerala’s GDP cannot be overstated. The state government has identified tourism as a strategic sector for economic growth, investing in infrastructure development, marketing campaigns, and sustainable tourism initiatives designed to attract higher-spending visitors while managing the environmental impact of mass tourism.

What Is Driving the Boom?

Several structural factors underpin Kerala’s tourism surge. First, India’s broader domestic travel boom — fuelled by rising middle-class incomes, budget airline expansion, and a cultural shift towards experiential travel — has benefited Kerala disproportionately. The state’s well-maintained road network, high literacy rate (which translates into better service standards), and diverse offerings across beaches, hills, backwaters, wildlife, and culture make it an attractive all-in-one destination.

Second, Kerala’s brand positioning as ‘God’s Own Country’ remains one of the most successful destination marketing campaigns in Indian tourism history. The brand, managed by the Kerala Tourism Department with support from international advertising agencies, is instantly recognisable across India and in key international markets including the UK, Germany, France, and the Gulf countries.

Third, the houseboat experience on Kerala’s backwaters — particularly in Alappuzha (Alleppey) and Kumarakom — continues to be a unique selling proposition that no other Indian state can replicate. The backwater network, which covers over 900 kilometres of interconnected canals, rivers, and lagoons, offers a tranquil, photogenic experience that has become a bucket-list item for Indian and international tourists alike.

Challenges: Sustainability and Over-Tourism

Kerala’s tourism success has not come without challenges. Popular destinations including Munnar, Fort Kochi, and the Alappuzha backwaters have experienced episodes of over-tourism, with traffic congestion, waste management issues, and strain on local resources. The 2024 Wayanad landslide, which devastated parts of the scenic hill district, also highlighted the vulnerability of Kerala’s tourism infrastructure to extreme weather events — a concern exacerbated by climate change.

The Kerala government has responded with a mix of regulatory and developmental measures. A ‘Responsible Tourism’ initiative, launched in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization, encourages visitors to engage with local communities and minimise environmental impact. Daily visitor caps at certain ecologically sensitive sites, including Eravikulam National Park and the Athirappilly waterfalls, have been introduced to prevent overcrowding.

The broader environmental challenges facing India, including water scarcity and heatwaves, also affect Kerala’s tourism planning. The state’s monsoon season (June to September), once considered the off-season, has been rebranded as the ‘Ayurvedic season’ — promoting Kerala’s traditional wellness treatments as a unique monsoon offering.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

With the 2025 record now in the books, Kerala Tourism has set ambitious targets for 2026 and beyond. The state aims to cross 3 crore (30 million) annual visitors by 2028, with a particular focus on increasing international arrivals and average spending per tourist. New circuit tourism packages, improved rail and air connectivity (including the expansion of Kochi’s international airport), and the development of emerging destinations like Wayanad, Vagamon, and Poovar are all part of the strategy.

For travellers planning a visit, the 2026 domestic tourism season is expected to be busier than ever. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for peak periods including the December-January winter season and the post-monsoon October-November window. Whether it is the misty tea gardens of Munnar, the golden beaches of Kovalam, or the serene backwaters of Alappuzha, Kerala’s record-breaking 2025 is a clear signal that God’s Own Country has never been more popular — or more ready to welcome the world.

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The Henley Passport Index, published by London-based Henley & Partners, is considered the most authoritative global ranking of travel freedom. It uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and covers 199 passports worldwide. The 2026 ranking placed Japan and Singapore at the top with access to 195 destinations, while India’s jump from 85th to 75th was one of the steepest climbs among major economies.

Which Countries Opened Up for Indian Passport Holders?

India’s improved ranking stems from a series of bilateral agreements inked over the past 18 months. Key additions include:

• Thailand — Extended 60-day visa exemption for Indian tourists, a major boost for one of India’s most popular holiday destinations
• Sri Lanka — Expanded visa-free window to 60 days, strengthening people-to-people ties with India’s southern neighbour
• Kazakhstan — Introduced 60-day visa-free access for Indian citizens, facilitating both tourism and business travel
• Kenya and Rwanda — Scrapped advance visa requirements for Indian tourists, opening up East Africa for Indian travellers
• Barbados and Dominica — Formalised visa-on-arrival privileges for Indian passport holders
• The Gambia — Added in January 2026, becoming the latest country to waive visa requirements for Indians

Analysts also credit India’s own decision to waive short-term e-tourist visa fees for key ASEAN markets, which prompted reciprocal gestures from several Southeast Asian nations. India’s travel and tourism sector has been a major beneficiary of these policy changes.

Where Do Barriers Remain?

Despite the improved headline number, mobility experts note important nuances. The majority of India’s new visa-free destinations are leisure-focused emerging markets, while significant barriers remain for traditional business and travel hubs. The United States, China, most of the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom all still require Indian citizens to undergo full visa application processes, often with long wait times and extensive documentation.

Additionally, two destinations were actually lost in 2026 — Iran suspended its visa waiver programme for Indian tourists amid regional tensions, and Bolivia replaced visa-on-arrival with a paid e-visa. This means that while the gross number of accessible destinations rose, the net gain was slightly offset. In January 2026, the total briefly dipped to 55 before The Gambia’s addition brought it back to 56 in February.

India’s Outbound Tourism Boom

The passport improvement coincides with a record year for Indian outbound tourism. According to industry estimates, over 30 million Indians are expected to travel internationally in 2026, up from approximately 27 million in 2025. Southeast Asia (Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia), the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), and the Maldives remain the most popular destinations, while newer markets like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and East Africa are seeing rapid growth.

India’s domestic summer travel trends have also been remarkable, but the international travel segment is growing even faster. The combination of rising incomes, affordable airfares, and easier visa access has created a perfect storm for outbound tourism. For international travel enthusiasts, 2026 offers more options than ever before.

Diplomatic Strategy Behind the Climb

India’s passport improvement is not accidental — it reflects a deliberate diplomatic strategy by the Ministry of External Affairs. Under the Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, India has prioritised mobility agreements with South and Southeast Asian nations. The G20 presidency in 2023 and subsequent bilateral summits have been used as platforms to push for reciprocal travel agreements.

India’s growing economic weight — it is now the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP expected to grow at 6.6-6.9% in FY2026-27 — gives it leverage in these negotiations. As Indian tourists and business travellers become a more significant revenue source for destination countries, the incentive for visa liberalisation grows.

The India’s robust economic fundamentals underpin this soft-power expansion. Countries that have opened their doors to Indian tourists report significant growth in tourism receipts, incentivising further liberalisation. India’s booming property market has also attracted NRI investors, further strengthening bilateral ties.

What Could Further Improve India’s Passport Ranking?

To break into the top 50 — a stated goal of the Indian government — India would need visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 70 or more countries. This would require breakthroughs with major blocs like the European Union (Schengen visa), the United States, and East Asia. Progress on these fronts is expected to be gradual, with potential EU visa liberalisation being the most realistic near-term prospect.

For now, Indian travellers can celebrate meaningful progress. With 56 destinations available without a full visa process, planning international holidays has never been easier. As the travel industry continues to recover and expand post-pandemic, India’s improved passport ranking is a welcome development for the country’s millions of aspiring global travellers.

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