Kerala's tourism industry has made a remarkable recovery, with domestic tourist arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic figures. During the first quarter of 2026, the state welcomed a record 63.05 lakh domestic tourists, marking a 50.46% increase compared to the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While domestic tourism continues to thrive, international tourist arrivals are still recovering. Kerala received 3.04 lakh foreign visitors during the first quarter of 2026, which remains 27.85% lower than pre-pandemic levels. However, the steady increase in international arrivals signals a positive outlook for the tourism sector.

Local travelers continue to drive Kerala's tourism growth, with 68.34% of domestic visitors coming from within the state. Tamil Nadu accounted for 10.88% of visitors, followed by Karnataka with 6.58%. Industry experts attribute this strong growth to the increasing popularity of short vacations, weekend getaways, wellness tourism, and nature-based travel, making Kerala one of India's most sought-after travel destinations.