Kerala and Kerala Tourism at a Glance
Kerala, a State in the Republic of India, has 14 districts or administrative divisions. Kerala, situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by the National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism . Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation—the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state—laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala Tourism was able to transform itself into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tag line Kerala- God’s Own Country was adopted in its tourism promotions and became synonymous with the state. Today, Kerala Tourism is a global superbrand and regarded as one of the destinations with the highest brand recall.In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourists–an increase of 23.68% in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, thus making it one of the fastest growing tourism destination in the world.
Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The “backwaters” region—an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada—also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performances.
The major cities are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. There are three airports in the state which provide international and domestic connections.Here is some quick information on Kerala which will be useful for travellers visiting the State.
| Location | : | Southwestern tip of India. | ||||
| Area | : | 38,863 sq km. | ||||
| Population | : | 31,84,1374 | ||||
| Capital | : | Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) | ||||
| Language | : | Malayalam. English is widely spoken. | ||||
| Religion | : | Hinduism, Christianity, Islam | ||||
| Time | : | GMT +5:30 | ||||
| Currency | : | Indian Rupee | ||||
| Climate | : | Tropical | ||||
| Summer | : | February – May (24 – 33°C) | ||||
| Monsoon | : | June – August (22 – 28°C) October – November |
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| Winter | : | November – January (22 – 32°C) | ||||
| Districts | Old Name | |||||
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| Kasaragod | ||||||
| Kannur | Cannanore | |||||
| Wayanad | ||||||
| Kozhikode | Calicut | |||||
| Malappuram | ||||||
| Palakkad | Palghat | |||||
| Thrissur | Trichur | |||||
| Ernakulam | ||||||
| Idukki | ||||||
| Kottayam | ||||||
| Alappuzha | Alleppey | |||||
| Pathanamthitta | ||||||
| Kollam | Quilon | |||||
| Thiruvananthapuram | Trivandrum | |||||
| Major Cities | ||||||
| Old Name | ||||||
| Thiruvananthapuram | : | Trivandrum | ||||
| Kochi | : | Cochin | ||||
| Kozhikode | : | Calicut | ||||
Important Awards Bagged by Kerala Tourism
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
World Tourism Travel Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
One of the three finalists in the Destination Category – Kerala,2006
ITB Berlin
Das Golden Stadttor Award for the Print campaign, 2007
Das Golden Stadttor Award for Best Commercial, 2006
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Gold Award 2010 for Best Website
Gold Award 2009 for Marketing “Dream Season in Gods Own Country”
Gold Award 2008 for Culture – Utsavam, Kerala Arts Festival
Gold Award 2008 for Consumer Travel Brochure – Kerala Tourism Theme Brochure
Gold Award 2007 for Culture – Aranmula Cultural Village
Gold Award 2007 for Brochure – Destination Brochure Kit
Grand Award for Environment – Zero Waste Kovalam, 2006
Gold Award for Ecotourism – Kumbalangi Tourism Village, 2006
Gold Award 2006 for Publication Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
Gold Award for the best E-Newsletter, 2005
Honourable Mention for Culture, 2005
Gold Award for Culture, 2004
Gold Award for Ecotourism, 2004
Gold Award 2004 for the best CD-ROM Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
Gold Award 2003 for the best CD-ROM, Kerala: The Green Symphony
Gold Award for Marketing, 2003
Grand Award for Heritage, 2002
Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA)
International Award for Leisure Tourism, 2000-2001
UNESCO Asia-Pacific
Heritage Award – Honorable Mention – Arakkal Kettu, Kannur, 2006
New York ad Festivals
Finalist Award – Kerala Tourism – 2005
NATIONAL AWARDS
Government of India
Most Innovative Adventure Activity -International Paragliding Championship, 2007-08
Best Responsible Tourism Project – Better Together- Responsible Tourism Initiative, Kerala, 2007-08
Best Tourism Film / Audio Visual Presentation 2007-08 for DVD Rhapsodies from God’s Own Country
Best Performing Tourism State, 2006
Best Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument – Sakthan Thampuran Palace 2006
Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2005-06
Best Performing Tourism State, 2005
Best Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument, 2005
Best Publishing 2004-05 for Book on Ayurveda
Best Marketed and Promoted State, 2004
Best Maintained Tourist – Friendly Monument, 2004
Best Innovative Tourism Project, 2004
Best Promotion Literature, 2004
Best Publishing 2003-04 for Book on Panchakarma
Best Performing State for 2003, 2001, 2000 and 1999 – Award for Excellence in Tourism. (For rapid growth, development and advancement in the tourism sector)
Best Practices by a State Government, 2003
Best Eco-tourism Product, 2003
Best Wildlife Sanctuary, 2003
Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2002-03
Most Tourist-friendly International Airport, 2002
Most Eco-friendly Destination, 2002
Best Tourism Film, 2001
Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2000-01
Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2008-09
Outlook Traveller – TAAI
Best State that promoted Travel & Tourism, 2000-2001
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
Award for Best Marketing, 2003
Award for Best Use of IT in Tourism, 2004
Galileo – Express Travel & Tourism
Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2006
Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2005
Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2003
Net4 PC World
Award for Best website in the tourism category, 2008
Indian Association of Tour Operators’ (IATO)
Award for the Best CDs, 2004
NDTV
Business Leadership Award in Travel Category, 2007
CNBC Award
Best Tourism Board, 2009
Best Travel Destination 2009
Best State Tourism Board – Kerala, 2007
Best Travel Destination – Thekkady, 2007
Kerala State E-Governance Awards
* Best Website, 2008
courtesy :official website of kerala government and kerala tourism.
