Kerala tourism teases ‘Helitourism’ to be reality soon

Tourism Kerala is going all out to ensure the state emerges as a top global tourist destination amid fierce competition from countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand and domestic destinations like Andaman and Nicobar.

Now, the southern state has teased an unparalleled travel adventure in God’s Own Country as it sets sights on introducing heli-tourism to enhance the experience for premium tourists. In a video shared on X, the state’s tourism department said: “It’s time for a brand-new travel experience in God’s Own Country.”

Earlier in May, at a stakeholders’ meeting, the Tourism department had outlined plans to launch heli-taxi services connecting Kochi with tourist host spots like Thekkady, Munnar and Kumarakom. The department said that the public-private-partnership infrastructure would facilitate heli-tourism, aiming to provide a unique perspective of Kerala’s water bodies, mountains, and picturesque countryside from helicopters.

Leveraging the existing non-scheduled chopper services, the initiative seeks to convert them into scheduled operations, utilising helipads located at key places.

According to The Hindu, a senior Tourism department official highlighted that the state’s role would primarily be that of a facilitator, with various stakeholders in the sector providing heli-tourism services. Initially five-to-seven-seater choppers for tourism activities will be deployed, catering to the tourist influx around popular destinations like Kumarakom, Munnar, and Thekkady.

To make the heli-tourism plan economically viable, stakeholders had proposed waivers, including subsidies on seats and GST exemptions during the initial phase. Additionally, they sought permission to operate services from select college and school grounds.

The state then said it would study the feasibility before officially launching heli-tourism services.