In a significant boost to Kerala's resurging tourism, Kochi has earned a coveted spot in Conde Nast Traveller's esteemed list of the best places to visit in Asia in 2024.Conde Nast Traveller, a London-based luxury travel magazine, commends Kochi for its sustainable initiatives, vibrant local festivals, and scenic waterways, backwaters, lagoons, and rivers that have enticed visitors for centuries. The magazine highlights Kochi's groundbreaking water metro system, a socially inclusive transport connecting 10 islands along a 78-kilometer network, set to become fully solar-powered by late 2024, contributing to Kerala's transformation into a solar powerhouse.
The recognition extends to Kochi's international airport (CIAL), the world's first operating solely on solar energy, boasting the largest dedicated business jet terminal in India. The magazine notes the broader efforts under Kerala Tourism 2.0, a $43 million sustainable tourism initiative for 2023-2024, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, travel corridors, and local festivals connecting Kochi to lesser-explored destinations like Munnar and Kozhikode.
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas expresses pride in the accolade, emphasizing Kerala Tourism's commitment to balancing commercial growth with sustainability and community well-being. Tourism Secretary K. Biju credits the state's sustainable tourism initiatives for making Kochi and Kerala a welcoming global destination.
The article also acknowledges ongoing improvements at Kochi's 150-year-old Ernakulam Market, set to unveil its long-awaited redesign in early 2024. Additionally, Conde Nast recognizes The Blue Yonder, a responsible tourism operator, for its innovative twilight dining experience inspired by Kochi's historic Chinese fishing nets and its contributions to conservation-focused activities like mangrove trails and climate-resilient Pokkali rice farms.
Kochi shares the limelight with other esteemed destinations in Conde Nast Traveller's 2024 list, including Kathmandu Valley (Nepal), Singapore, The Silk Road (Uzbekistan), Kobe (Japan), Bangkok (Chinatown, Thailand), Mongolia, Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), The Red Sea (Saudi Arabia), Da Nang (Vietnam), and South and Central Sri Lanka. The recognition solidifies Kochi's position as a must-visit destination, showcasing the region's rich cultural and environmental tapestry.