Rise in foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala by over 8 pc

Over 8.58 lakh foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2013, marking a growth of 8.12 per cent from last year, a top Kerala Tourism official said here today.
Foreign tourist arrivals went up from over 7.94 lakh in 2012 to over 8.58 lakh in 2013 registering an increase of 8.12 per cent, Additional Director (General), Kerala Tourism, Anupama T V told reporters during a press conference here.
"Foreign exchange earnings received by the tourism industry in the state went from Rs 4,571.69 crore in 2012 to Rs.5560.77 crore in 2013," she said.
The domestic tourist arrivals also registered a 7.75 per cent variation with arrival going up from 10.07 cr in 2012 to 10.08 cr in 2013, she said, adding, Kerala gets over 5 lakh tourists from Rajasthan alone every year.

She also informed the reporters that Kerala and United National World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) have signed a MOU for "spice route revival project" to promote the two millennia-old spice route that links the south western coast of India to Europe through tourism.
The Muziris Heritage Site (MHS) stretches across from the municipality of North Paravur in Ernakulum district to that of Kodungallor in Thrissur district.
Project's objective is to promote awareness and understanding of the cultural distinctiveness and diversity of Muziris. More than 25 museums will be there to showcase the Muziris Heritage, she said.
"Kerala Tourism has also come out with a unique nature based soft-adventure holiday programme Natventure," she said.