Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat reaffirmed the Centre’s full support for Kerala’s tourism sector, acknowledging the state’s significant contribution to India’s tourism growth. During a review meeting, he emphasised the need to develop one or two iconic destinations while introducing new tourism products to attract more visitors. Kerala’s Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi were also present at the meeting.
Shekhawat highlighted Kerala’s immense potential for further growth in tourism, particularly in areas like beach tourism, ayurveda, wellness, heritage, pilgrim, and spiritual tourism. He stressed that a combination of iconic destinations and innovative tourism products would help Kerala strengthen its position as a global travel hub.
Tourism Minister Riyas urged the Centre to approve a special package focusing on ayurveda and beach tourism, which he believes will significantly boost both domestic and international tourist arrivals. He emphasised that such initiatives would not only enhance Kerala’s tourism appeal but also contribute to increasing India’s foreign exchange earnings.
Riyas also underscored the importance of the Centre’s support in Kerala’s global marketing campaigns, which aim to position the state as a world-class tourist destination. He called for enhanced collaboration between the state and central governments to further promote Kerala’s diverse attractions on international platforms.