As the war clouds recede, Kerala sees an influx of Arab tourists in the monsoon season

A group of Arab tourists who recently visited Kerala

With the signing of a new agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, Kerala, a popular destination among Arab travelers, is bracing for an influx of visitors as the summer holiday season begins in West Asia and the monsoon sweeps over the state.

Arab tourists form a significant part of the international visitors to Kerala’s tourism sector, especially in the wellness and leisure segment during the months of June, July and August. However, the West Asian conflict, subsequent airspace restrictions and rising ticket prices affected the movement of tourists for several months.

The sector is now busy with the end of the conflict and the onset of Kerala’s monsoon season, which is generally considered the best time to experience the enchanting landscape and rejuvenating wellness therapies, including Ayurveda. Tourism stakeholders expect the ongoing season to attract a large number of visitors seeking holistic healing and relaxation.

Speaking to The Hindu, Rasheed Kakkad, president of the Arab Tour Operators Association, said that there has been an increase in inquiries from GCC countries in recent weeks. “Unlike tourists from Europe or the Far East, Arab tourists come in large numbers and spend almost four times more than the average European visitor, which greatly benefits the local economy,” he said.

“For example, while a European tourist spends around $850 to visit Kerala, an Arab tourist spends nearly $3,500. Moreover, Arab tourists often travel in groups of four to six members and sometimes even 30 to 40 members, while European tourists usually travel alone or in groups of two or three,” added Mr. Kakkad.

This is also the time when temperatures in the GCC countries often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, making Kerala’s cool climate and monsoon charm particularly attractive to travelers. According to Sajeev Kurup, general secretary and president of the Ayurveda Promotion Society, Arab travelers fall into various categories, including leisure, wellness and medical tourists. However, Kerala benefits the most from visitors in the leisure and wellness segment.

“Wellness tourists are drawn to traditional holistic Ayurvedic treatments offered in Malabar and central Kerala, besides medical tourists to major hospitals, while travelers prefer destinations like Munnar and the backwaters of Alappuzha,” he said. Arab tourists also have strong spending power compared to many other international travelers and spend significant amounts on spices, food, shopping and other activities.

Travelers from Saudi Arabia and Oman form the largest proportion of Arab tourists visiting Kerala, while there is also a steady flow of visitors from other GCC countries. According to Kerala Tourism data, Kerala will see a decline of 8.21 million foreign tourists in 2025 compared to 7.38 million in 2024, an increase of 11.33% over the previous year. Of these, three GCC countries – Oman (7.92%), Saudi Arabia (3.84%), UAE (3.19%) – featured in the top 10 countries contributing the highest percentage of foreign tourists to Kerala.

Published – 16 Jun 2026 20:44 IST