Now much sought after

An analysis of the international tourist arrivals during 1950-80 periods show a satisfactory annual increase in the volume of international traffic except for the year 1973 and 1974 when due to the energy crisis and the subsequent recession tourist arrivals declined than in previous years. During this period there was a decline of 2.5 percent.

However, thereafter, the increase was higher until 1980, when it slackened by 1.3 percent in 1981 leading to an estimated slight decline of in 1982. In those times in Kerala vacation period was marked by a phenomenal increase in travel to tourism centers and also for other purposes and thus there was much pressure on the already strained transportation infrastructures. Both the domestic and the international tourist had to make use of the available transportation facilities.

In 1983, the international tourist arrivals touched the 287 million mark which registered an increase of 0.5 percent over the international tourist arrivals in 1982. In 1984, the figure was 300 million representing an increase of 4.7 percent over 1983. In the subsequent years the figure went up phenomenally. In spite of all these developments, the share of India in the global tourist market was rather negligible.

After the liberalization of the Indian economy, things changed for the better. The tourism industry in the country and particularly in a state like Kerala underwent a major change. In Kerala, a major marketing exercise was initiated by the government led agencies and also by the private players. Thus the percentage of tourist arrivals literally doubled within a short period of time.

Scores of chartered flights now frequent the prominent airports in Kerala. Even though chartered flights are more frequent in the metro cities, the share of a small state like Kerala is rather significant. Very recently, this state is being promoted as a round the year tourist destination. This approach has helped to reap more benefits.