Indo-Arab Connect 2026 summit: Kerala aims to attract 3 lakh Arab tourists, expects ₹25,000 crore boost to economy
Kerala Tourism will set apart 20 per cent of its marketing funds to attract Arab tourists as the state had hosted over a lakh of Arab tourists in 2025, and that too the surge in Arab tourists is seen mostly during Kerala’s off-season, June to September
Kerala is set to host the Indo-Arab Connect 2026 summit in Kochi, commencing August 31st. The event will focus on marketing strategies for ayurveda and monsoon tourism to attract Arab visitors. Organized by a coalition of tourism associations and supported by Kerala Tourism and the Union Tourism Ministry, the summit aims to boost trade and tourism. A key objective is to draw three lakh Arab tourists, projecting an economic contribution of over ₹25,000 crore to Kerala's economy. The state is allocating a significant portion of its marketing funds to target Arab travelers, who are identified as high-spending visitors showing increased interest, even during Kerala's off-peak seasons.
Kerala is set to host the Indo-Arab Connect 2026 summit in Kochi, commencing August 31st. The event will focus on marketing strategies for ayurveda and monsoon tourism to attract Arab visitors. Organized by a coalition of tourism associations and supported by Kerala Tourism and the Union Tourism Ministry, the summit aims to boost trade and tourism. A key objective is to draw three lakh Arab tourists, projecting an economic contribution of over ₹25,000 crore to Kerala's economy. The state is allocating a significant portion of its marketing funds to target Arab travelers, who are identified as high-spending visitors showing increased interest, even during Kerala's off-peak seasons.
Kerala is set to host the Indo-Arab Connect 2026 summit in Kochi, commencing August 31st. The event will focus on marketing strategies for ayurveda and monsoon tourism to attract Arab visitors. Organized by a coalition of tourism associations and supported by Kerala Tourism and the Union Tourism Ministry, the summit aims to boost trade and tourism. A key objective is to draw three lakh Arab tourists, projecting an economic contribution of over ₹25,000 crore to Kerala's economy. The state is allocating a significant portion of its marketing funds to target Arab travelers, who are identified as high-spending visitors showing increased interest, even during Kerala's off-peak seasons.
Kerala will hold the Indo-Arab Connect 2026 summit in Kochi from August 31. Tourism Minister P. C. Vishnunadh on Friday said the state government has planned marketing strategies focused on ayurveda and monsoon tourism for the event.
The summit is jointly organised by the Association of Arab Tour Operators (AATO), the Indo-Arab Tourism and Hospitality Alliance, and the Tourism India. The Kerala Tourism, the Union Tourism Ministry, and the Cochin International Airport Ltd have collaborated together for this tourism and trade summit, which shall also include a business meeting on September 1 as well as a week-long tour of Kerala’s tourism circuits on September 2. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the summit on August 31 at 6 pm at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Kochi.
According to the minister, Kerala Tourism will set apart 20 per cent of its marketing funds to attract Arab tourists as the state had hosted over a lakh of Arab tourists in 2025, and that too the surge in Arab tourists is seen mostly during Kerala’s off-season, June to September. Even as Kerala receives most of its tourists from the United States and the United Kingdom, Oman which ranks at third could overtake in the number of tourists. Arab tourists from countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the top 10 tourist source markets for the state and are also the highest-spending travellers when compared with the traditional European visitors. Apart from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Iran are also among Kerala’s top 10 source markets, Vishnunadh said.
Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, tourism ministers of South Indian states and Goa and, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Suman Billa, will be present alongside diplomats from 10 Arab countries. As per the minister, approximately 200 tour operators from Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq will participate in the Summit.
President of the Association of Arab Tour Operators, Rashid Kakkat, said that the aim will be to bring in three lakh Arab tourists to Kerala, and thereby to provide over ₹25,000 crore to Kerala’s economy.