With the signing of a new agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, Kerala, a favoured destination among Arab travellers, is gearing up for an influx of visitors as the summer vacation season begins across West Asia and the monsoon sets in over the State.

Arab tourists comprise a significant proportion of international visitors to Kerala’s tourism sector, particularly in the wellness and leisure segments in the months of June, July and August months. However, the West Asian conflict, subsequent airspace restrictions, and soaring airfares had affected tourist movement for several months.

The sector is now buoyed by the end of the conflict and the onset of the monsoon season in Kerala, widely regarded as the best time to experience the State’s enchanting landscapes and rejuvenating wellness therapies, including Ayurveda. Tourism stakeholders expect the ongoing season to attract large numbers of visitors seeking holistic healing and relaxation.

Speaking to The Hindu, Rasheed Kakkad, president of the Association of Arab Tour Operators, said there has been an uptick in enquiries from GCC countries over the past couple of weeks. “Unlike tourists from Europe or the Far East, Arab tourists arrive in large numbers and spend nearly four times more than an average European visitor, significantly benefiting the local economy,” he said.

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

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

“Wellness tourists are drawn to the traditional holistic Ayurveda treatments offered across Malabar and Central Kerala apart from medical tourists to big hospital chains, while leisure travellers prefer destinations such as Munnar and the backwaters of Alappuzha,” he said. The Arab tourists also possess strong purchasing power compared to many other international travellers and spend considerably on spices, food, shopping and other activities.

Travellers from Saudi Arabia and Oman account for the largest share of Arab tourists visiting Kerala, while there is also a steady flow of visitors from other GCC countries. According to the Kerala Tourism figures, Kerala recorded a footfall of 8.21 lakhs foreign tourist visits in 2025, compared to 7.38 lakhs in 2024, an increase of 11.33 % from the previous year. Of this, three countries from GCC - Oman (7.92%), Saudi Arabia (3.84%), UAE (3.19%)- have found place in the top 10 countries contributing the highest percentage of foreign tourist visits to Kerala.