Kerala has achieved its highest-ever tourist arrivals in 2025. The State recorded 2.58 crore visitors, surpassing the 2.29 crore mark in 2024. Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas announced this on Monday in Kozhikode. He said Kerala gained 28,95,002 more tourists compared to last year. Domestic tourists made up 2.5 crore of the arrivals, a 12.46% rise from 2.22 crore in 2024. This is 36.3% higher than pre-COVID levels. Among districts, Idukki led with 46,79,800 domestic visitors, followed by Ernakulam (44,29,899), Thiruvananthapuram (43,75,846), Thrissur (31,24,696), Wayanad (14,73,710), and Kozhikode (14,69,253). Tourists came mainly from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Foreign tourist numbers also rose by 11.3%, reaching 8,21,999 in 2025. The Minister noted, "War-like conditions prevailing in various parts of the world are one of the major reasons for this." Most foreign visitors came from the UK, the US, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Maldives. Ernakulam topped foreign arrivals, followed by Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. Mr. Riyas said the success is due to "well-planned initiatives" by Kerala Tourism. Renovated rest houses now serve many tourists. North Kerala has seen major improvements. New five-star hotels and better roads in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Thrissur have boosted tourism in regions that were earlier less popular. "This has brought substantial changes in the tourism sector in the Malabar region," the Minister said. He added Kerala is on track to become a full-fledged "tourism State."