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Tourism is the fastest growing and the second largest industry of the world. This industry has tremendous potentials for earning foreign exchange, yielding tax revenues, providing employment, and promoting the growth of auxiliary industries and development of industrially backward regions.

India is the largest democratic republic in the world with immense possibilities of growth in the tourism sector with vast cultural and religious heritage, varied natural attractions, etc. Kerala located at the south-western tip of Indian sub-continent has already become one of the leading tourist destinations in the country. Kerala stands unique in the matter of its rich tourism experience keeping the customs and traditions of the State intact, at the same time receptive to new ideas and alien culture. A physical quality of life comparable to developed nations and almost fully literate population in this beautiful land are important factors that helped transform Kerala into an important tourist destination.

Sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kerala is blessed with unmatched natural diversity that provides immense scope for tourism. Within her 38,863 sq km, this virtual paradise holds almost all the tourist attractions of the world - serene beaches, enchanting backwaters, mist-clad hill stations, lush forests, exotic wildlife, waterfalls, extensive plantations, tropical islands, invigorating monsoons, Ayurvedic health centres, historic monuments, sacred pilgrim centres, spectacular art forms, splendid cultural heritage, spectacular boat races and everything else that take the whole attention of a visitor.

The most important among the tourist attraction are the Backwaters, which are considered as the economically valuable feature of Kerala. The backwaters include lakes and ocean in-lets, which stretch irregularly along the Kerala coast. Stretched over a total expanse of 1500 km, the backwaters have a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. The only way to discover the real Kerala is to cruise along its backwaters.

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* Contributed by: -
Mr. Jubi R. is Research Scholar in Management, Sathyabama Deemed University, Chennai,
Dr. K. S. Chandrasekar is Reader at Institute of Management in Kerala, Thiruvananthpuram.