KOCHI/KUMARAKOM: Kerala is stepping up efforts to attract more travellers from the Arab world, opening new opportunities for destinations such as Kumarakom, with its luxury resorts, houseboats, Ayurveda and backwater experiences.

The state's renewed focus on the Gulf and wider Arab tourism market was highlighted at Indo-Arab Connect 2026, held in Kochi from August 31 to September 2. The programme brought together Arab travel trade representatives and Kerala's tourism industry to develop stronger business partnerships and create new tourism opportunities.

Kerala has set an ambitious target of attracting three lakh additional Arab tourists over the coming years, with a projected economic impact of more than ₹25,000 crore. The state is also increasing its tourism marketing focus on the Arab market, recognising the segment's potential for high-value leisure, wellness and family travel.

Strong response from Arab travel industry

The business interactions at Indo-Arab Connect underlined the growing interest in Kerala among Arab travel trade professionals.

According to a report following the event, more than 162 tour operators from 10 Arab countries and nearly 200 representatives from the Indian tourism industry participated in the B2B programme. The event generated 16,632 business meetings, creating opportunities for new partnerships, customised tourism products and increased visitor flows between Kerala and Arab markets.

The participating Indian tourism industry included hotels, resorts, Ayurveda and wellness centres, houseboat operators and tour companies—sectors that are particularly relevant to Kumarakom.

Kumarakom has a strong Arab tourism proposition

For Kumarakom, the expansion of the Arab market could be significant.

The destination offers several experiences that appeal to family and premium international travellers, including Vembanad Lake cruises, private houseboats, luxury waterfront resorts, Ayurveda and wellness programmes, village experiences and nature-based tourism.

Arab travellers are already an important international visitor segment for Kerala. Official 2025 tourism statistics show Oman contributed 65,132 foreign tourist visits, while Saudi Arabia accounted for 31,593 and the United Arab Emirates for 26,255. Oman recorded particularly strong growth, rising from 38,387 visitors in 2024 to 65,132 in 2025.

The timing is also important. Travellers from the Gulf traditionally form a significant part of Kerala's tourism demand during the June–September period, which overlaps with Kerala's monsoon season. This provides an opportunity for destinations to strengthen occupancy and tourism activity during periods that can otherwise be relatively quieter for domestic travel.

Focus on wellness, family holidays and premium travel

Kerala's Arab tourism strategy extends beyond conventional sightseeing. The state is positioning itself around Ayurveda, wellness, medical tourism, luxury hospitality, family holidays and experiential travel.

The Kerala Development Report 2026 notes that the state's “Yalla Kerala” campaign was launched in major West Asian markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman to attract Arab visitors. 

Kumarakom is particularly well positioned within this strategy because its tourism offering combines wellness and leisure with the distinctive experience of Kerala's backwaters.

Cruise and waterway connectivity could add another advantage

The state's broader plans to strengthen water-based tourism could further enhance Kumarakom's appeal.

Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, speaking at Indo-Arab Connect, outlined plans under the proposed Mission Samudra to strengthen Kerala's waterways and cruise tourism by improving connections between ports, rivers and backwaters. He also said the state intends to deepen tourism and investment links with Arab countries.

The Chief Minister has also indicated plans for cruise connectivity between Kerala and Gulf countries, adding another potential dimension to the state's long-term tourism relationship with the region.

A promising opportunity for Kumarakom

As Kerala looks to substantially expand its Arab visitor base, Kumarakom could emerge as one of the destinations to benefit from this strategy.

The combination of premium accommodation, houseboat cruises, Ayurveda, backwater landscapes and family-friendly experiences gives Kumarakom a strong proposition for Gulf travellers seeking longer and experience-oriented holidays.

For the local tourism industry, the challenge will now be to convert the growing interest generated through trade events into actual bookings, longer stays and repeat visits.

With Kerala actively strengthening its connections with the Arab travel market, Kumarakom's backwaters could increasingly become part of the state's premium Gulf-focused tourism offering.