Amazing Surge: Kerala Sees Huge Jump In Gulf Visitors With Oman Taking Third Spot
Kerala has recorded a significant rise in tourists from Gulf countries, establishing the Gulf market as one of its most vital international tourism sources. Here are the key highlights from the latest data:
- Oman contributed 65,132 foreign visitors, becoming Kerala's third-largest source market after the UK and the USA.
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE recorded 31,593 and 26,255 visitors, respectively.
- Six GCC countries accounted for approximately 136,000 foreign tourist visits in 2025, which is a 26 percent increase over 108,000 visits in 2024.
Visitor Numbers And Market Share
According to official 2025 Kerala Tourism data, Oman has now surpassed other nations to become Kerala’s third-largest source market, following the UK and the USA. Combined, these six Gulf markets now outperform the total tourist numbers from Germany and France. Kerala Tourism, Culture, and Cinema Minister P.C. Vishnunadh stated during the Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai that the Gulf region is a strategic market for state tourism growth, highlighting Oman’s growth rate of approximately 69.7 percent from 38,387 visits in 2024. In the 2025 official statistics, the UK held a 14.86 percent share, the USA 13.09 percent, and Oman 7.92 percent, while Germany and France held 5.98 percent and 5.72 percent respectively. Saudi Arabia and the UAE secured the ninth and tenth positions with 3.84 percent and 3.19 percent shares. Collectively, GCC countries accounted for roughly 16.5 percent of total foreign visits to Kerala.
Total Tourism And Future Plans
Total foreign tourist visits to Kerala in 2025 reached 821,999, an 11.33 percent increase from 738,374 in 2024. Despite this, figures remain 30.91 percent lower than the 1.19 million visits recorded in 2019. To drive recovery, the state is promoting its monsoon season as a premium tourism product for Arab families seeking relief from Gulf summer temperatures. The government is also emphasizing Ayurveda, wellness, and cultural experiences, while looking to diversify destinations beyond traditional spots like Kochi, Munnar, and Kovalam. Air connectivity remains a primary challenge. Minister Vishnunadh noted that the state is engaging with Emirates and aviation authorities to address flight frequency, seat availability, and fare spikes. Looking ahead, Kerala has launched an 'Indo-Arab Connect' initiative, aiming to attract 300,000 additional Arab tourists over the next five years, with a potential economic impact of ₹25,000 crore. In 2025, Kerala's estimated total tourism receipts, including both domestic and foreign, were ₹50,702.34 crore, with foreign tourist receipts alone valued at approximately ₹7,382.02 crore.