• 11 August, 2025

General Observations:

• The data reveals significant fluctuations in the number of domestic tourists arriving in Kerala over the three-year period.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is evident, with a sharp decline in 2020 and a gradual recovery in 2021 and 2022.

Yearly Comparisons:

1. 2020:
   • High tourist arrivals in January (17,25,291) and February (13,83,951).
   • Sharp decline from March onwards due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
   • Extremely low numbers in April and May, coinciding with the strict lockdown measures.
   • Slight recovery in the latter months, but still significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.
2. 2021:
   • Gradual recovery observed starting from January.
   • Significant increase in tourist numbers from March onwards compared to 2020.
   • Highest tourist arrivals in December (12,32,083), indicating a positive trend.
3. 2022:
   • Significant recovery in tourist arrivals, with numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels in many months.
   • Consistently high numbers throughout the year, especially from April onwards.
   • Peak in December (20,64,660), the highest among the three years.

Monthly Trends:

• January and February: High tourist arrivals in 2020, drop in 2021, and recovery in 2022.
• March: Steady increase over the three years, with a significant rise in 2022.
• April and May: Drastic increase in tourist arrivals in 2022 compared to the previous years.
• June to August: Noticeable recovery in 2022, with numbers much higher than in 2020 and 2021.
• September to December: Consistent growth, with 2022 showing the highest numbers in this period.

Key Takeaways:

• The tourism industry in Kerala experienced a sharp decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• There was a steady recovery in 2021, with tourist numbers gradually increasing each month.
• 2022 saw a robust recovery, with domestic tourist arrivals not only recovering but exceeding pre-pandemic levels in many months.
• The data indicates a strong rebound in the tourism sector, particularly in the latter half of 2022.

Conclusion:

The month-wise analysis of domestic tourist arrivals in Kerala from 2020 to 2022 shows a clear impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a sharp decline in 2020, gradual recovery in 2021, and significant growth in 2022. This trend highlights the resilience of the tourism industry in Kerala and the increasing confidence of domestic tourists to travel again post-pandemic.