50-Hubs List Beckons State's Attractions

Several tourist destinations in Kerala like Kumarakom, Kochi, Munnar, and Kovalam are likely to benefit from the Union budget's focus on travel and tourism, with the document's mention of "50 tourist destinations that will be selected through challenge mode to be developed as tourism hubs."

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kochi

The country's tourism sector has been slow to get back on its feet after being hit hard by Covid. The number of foreign tourists visiting India has dropped from pre-Covid levels of nearly 11 million to around 5 million post-pandemic. Moreover, the number of domestic tourists on foreign holidays has declined from 22 million to less than 5 million over the same period because of high airfares and increased visa restrictions. This has created an explosive new demand for domestic tourism in the country, along with the need to boost foreign arrivals.