Kochi, September 2026: Kerala is set to significantly expand its cruise, coastal and maritime tourism sectors, with the state government announcing a series of projects aimed at making better use of its long coastline, ports, rivers and maritime heritage.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 13th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026 in Kochi, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said the government has given the green light for a cruise terminal at Cochin Port, while another cruise terminal is planned for Kozhikode. The initiatives are part of a wider plan to strengthen Kerala's position as a major maritime tourism destination. 

The government also plans to expand cruise tourism beyond the state's established coastal centres. In the second phase, the cruise programme is proposed to cover 44 rivers and major backwaters across Kerala, opening opportunities for river-based tourism and new experiences in different parts of the state.

Plans have also been announced for coastal cruise services connecting Kasaragod in the north with Thiruvananthapuram in the south. The state is also exploring wider cruise connectivity linking Kochi with destinations such as Goa and the Gulf region. These initiatives are intended to strengthen coastal connectivity while creating new tourism products. 

International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium

Kochi is also set to receive two major maritime attractions — an International Maritime Museum and an oceanarium. The projects are intended to showcase Kerala's long maritime history, marine environment and connections with international trade.

The Chief Minister has announced plans for an international-standard maritime museum in Kochi, highlighting the state's more than 2,000-year maritime heritage. Kovalam oceanarium is also planned as a major tourism attraction, with the government having identified land for the project. 

The maritime initiatives form part of a broader development vision centred on Kerala's approximately 600-km coastline, ports, inland waterways and blue economy. The government has said it wants to integrate the state's ports and increase the use of waterways for both logistics and tourism.

The new cruise and maritime tourism projects could create opportunities for coastal cruises, river cruises, waterfront tourism, marine attractions and heritage tourism, while bringing more destinations into Kerala's tourism network.

With the announcements coming during KTM 2026, the state's flagship tourism trade event, maritime tourism has emerged as one of the key areas in Kerala's plans to diversify its tourism offerings and attract visitors to destinations beyond the traditional tourism centres.