Kerala Seeks Bids to Launch Heli-Tourism and Elevate Luxury Travel
Kerala Unveils Heli-Tourism Plan to Boost Premium Travel Experiences Across the State
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant step aimed at enhancing high-end tourism and improving inter-destination connectivity, the Kerala government has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to engage helicopter operators for launching heli-tourism services across the state.
Certified Operators to Link Major Tourist Hubs
The initiative seeks to onboard certified helicopter service providers and aggregators to offer safe, reliable, and frequent aerial transport linking major tourist hubs such as Kochi, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumarakom, Vagamon, and Bekal.
Part of a Larger Strategy to Position Kerala as a Premium Destination
This move is part of Kerala Tourism’s broader strategy to brand the state as a premium destination with a wide range of experiences—from tranquil beaches to cool hill stations—easily reachable within a single day.
Multiple Benefits: Tourism, Emergency, and Medical Use
A senior tourism department official told TNIE that this initiative is expected to not only cut down travel time for tourists but also assist in emergency response, medical transport, and disaster management efforts within the state.
“Connectivity remains a challenge for visitors. Many tourists on short trips struggle to cover multiple destinations due to time constraints. For example, while many arrive in Kochi, traveling to Munnar by road takes about four to six hours. With helicopter services, this journey could be reduced to around an hour, costing roughly ₹5,000 per person,” the official explained.
Pilgrimage Tourism to Sabarimala Gets a Boost
Pilgrimage tourism is also expected to benefit, particularly for devotees heading to Sabarimala from distant regions such as Andhra Pradesh. “Faster access will allow pilgrims to spend more time at the shrine or explore other attractions nearby,” the official added.
Initial Challenges and Policy Evolution
Although the heli-tourism project was initially launched in December 2023, it struggled to gain momentum due to regulatory hurdles from the forest department and the lack of a structured policy. At that time, the number of service providers was also limited. To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive heli-tourism policy was drafted and secured cabinet approval in December 2024.
Next Steps: Shortlisting and Presentations
Applicants will be shortlisted, and technical presentations are scheduled for June 23.
“There aren’t many players in this sector, but we anticipate five to ten operators will respond to the EoI,” said the official.
Infrastructure Plans and Compliance Guidelines
The newly approved policy includes plans for setting up heliports, helistations, and necessary support infrastructure, while ensuring compliance with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other regulatory authorities.
“Helicopter tourism offers high efficiency with minimal land requirements and has the potential to revolutionize travel in Kerala by enhancing regional connectivity,” the official noted.
