Kerala to focus on health and spiritual travellers with 20% increase in tourism budget – CNBC TV18
Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal has announced a 20% increase in the state’s tourism budget, setting a renewed focus on health and spiritual tourism as key pillars of growth. The announcement was made while inaugurating the state-level seminar “Lokom Kothikkum Keralam” Vision 2031, organised by the Kerala Tourism Department at Marian College, Kuttikkanam.
Budget boost to drive health and spiritual tourism
Balagopal outlined plans to position Kerala as a leading destination for health and wellness tourism, targeting high-spending domestic travellers alongside international visitors. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pilgrimage tourism, noting that ₹250 crore has been earmarked annually for the maintenance of roads leading to Sabarimala, one of the state’s most significant pilgrimage centres.
Infrastructure push: cruises, convention centres, and hotel financing
Highlighting new avenues of growth, the finance minister pointed to emerging opportunities in cruise tourism and the development of international convention centres at strategically important destinations. He added that a scheme to provide startup-style financial assistance for hotel projects with investments up to ₹50 crore is nearing completion—aimed at catalysing private-sector participation and improving hospitality capacity across Kerala.
Preparing for an AI-shaped future
Balagopal urged the tourism sector to adapt to the rapid influence of artificial intelligence on the economy and daily life. He underscored the value of human-centric soft skills—such as culinary arts and creative expression—that remain largely resilient in an AI-driven era. According to him, tourism offers a strong platform to nurture and showcase these skills, enhancing both visitor experiences and local livelihoods.
Vision 2031: year-round tourism with sustainability at its core
Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas unveiled the Vision 2031 policy document prepared by the Kerala Tourism Department, which lays out strategies to build year-round, sustainable tourism infrastructure. The plan emphasises environmental responsibility, improved visitor management, and community participation.
Riyas stressed the importance of planned development as several popular destinations approach saturation. He called for upgrading identified locations to international standards over the next five years, in collaboration with local communities. The policy also encourages the use of modern technologies, including AI, to support destination planning and operations. He said “easy tourism” should become Kerala’s unique selling proposition—making travel smoother and more accessible—while expanding popular circuits in ways that strengthen local employment and the broader economy.
Reaffirming Kerala Tourism’s global standing, Riyas said all Malayalis can be ambassadors for the brand, highlighting the state’s distinctive breadth of experiences—from backwaters and beaches to culture, cuisine, wellness, and nature.
Broad-based momentum for the sector
Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine praised the government’s “creative action plan” for tourism, citing its role in boosting Kerala’s GDP. Tourism Department Secretary K Biju presented a snapshot of the sector’s achievements over the past nine years, and Tourism Director Sikha Surendran also addressed the gathering, reflecting the coordinated push to expand capacity, improve infrastructure, and sustain Kerala’s reputation as a premier destination.
With increased funding, targeted infrastructure development, and a strategic focus on sustainability and technology, Kerala is setting out to elevate its health, wellness, and spiritual tourism offerings while creating more inclusive economic opportunities across the state.
