Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher in the world has named Kerala among world's 10 best travel destinations for family in 2014.
Lonely Planet's award was bestowed on Kerala, 'God's Own Country' at World Travel Mart in London. The World Travel Mart is the leading travel trade event attended by tourism industry representatives from across the world. World Travel Mart began on November 4, 2013 and concluded on Thursday November 7, 2013.
Kerala now joins the likes of New York City, Denmark, Prague, Iceland, Italy and Hawaii as a child-friendly destination ideal for the family.
"The intensity of travel in India could put you off taking a trip here with family, but Kerala is a family-friendly version, more laid back than other regions, greener, slower paced. There are also lots of national parks for elephant spotting, palm fringed beaches and boat trips along the lush canals of the backwaters," it said.
Kerala Tourism director S. Harikishore received the prestigious award from Lonely Planet.
The honourable tourism director of Kerala Mr. Harikishore said “We are also very honoured to have received such a prestigious award from Lonely Planet and being named among the best destinations for family travel.”
"With the British economy registering the fastest growth in the last three years in the previous quarter, the mood at the World Travel Mart hosted by London was upbeat" said Harikishore.
Britain is one of the most important markets for Kerala tourism industry. The state recorded nearly 1.5 lakh tourist arrivals last year.