A million fans for Kerala Tourism

Launched in 2010, the Kerala Tourism's Facebook page has been a gateway for its fans all over the world.

The tourism department of Kerala has touched a new milestone on social media by crossing the one-million-fan mark on its Facebook page. Kerala Tourism is well ahead of major global tourism destination boards like Singapore Tourism (8 lakh fans), Thailand Tourism (6 lakh fans), Paris Tourism (3.2 lakh fans) and Sri Lanka Tourism (6,600 fans)

According to the department, this was achieved with focused campaigns that informed global travellers about the destinations and the various facets of life in 'God's Own Country'. "There have been several campaigns undertaken by the tourism department, which guaranteed higher interaction with its fans. Sustained efforts ensure that the Facebook page provides regular assistance to any traveller who wishes to visit the state. The Department also engages with amateur photographers from across the state, who regularly contribute images to the page," the department says in a note.

Launched in 2010, the Kerala Tourism Facebook page has been a gateway for its fans all over the world to catch glimpses of the state through the social media. Fans are also given information on the latest events and news in the state in areas ranging from art to culture. "It is a heartening achievement. Kerala Tourism has always been in the forefront when it comes to embracing the power of the social media to reach out to the people," says Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar.

Kerala Tourism also has dedicated Facebook pages in French and German. Over the past few years, French and German-speaking audiences have proven to be key groups. Kerala Tourism has also launched two Facebook pages - Kerala: Home of Ayurveda and Kerala: Heimat des Ayurveda - in English and German respectively.

With 1.2 lakh active fans, the department's Facebook page on Ayurveda in English is a comprehensive dossier on India's ancient medicinal system. The German Ayurveda Facebook page has a healthy chunk of fans that are primarily based in the German-speaking regions of the world.

Besides Facebook, the department's Twitter handle @KeralaTourism (https://twitter.com/KeralaTourism) has 26,000 followers. Meanwhile, those with Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn accounts are also increasing at a steady pace, with a large number of travellers and Kerala lovers outside the state actively using these platforms.