Hello there, fellow explorers! Brace up as you set off on an adrenaline-pumping ride because Condé Nast Traveller has chosen Kochi as one of Asia’s finest spots to visit in 2024. Get yourself up for a fast-paced tour of this bustling city that balances heritage and new age effortlessly.
Kochi, the crown gem of Kerala’s expanding tourism, has secured an honourable mention on the widely recognized list as an expression of its unrelenting dedication to sustainability. The critical eyes of the London-based luxury travel magazine have been charmed by the city’s sustainability efforts and local festivals. The recognition is not just a feather in Kochi’s crown but also a solid validation of Kerala Tourism’s smart balance of commercial growth and sustainability.
Hold your hats until you hear about the innovative water metro system, a 78-kilometre network of socially inclusive transportation that connects ten islands. Already revolutionary since its launch in 2021, this fantastic invention will reach new heights by late 2024 when it becomes entirely solar-powered, setting the benchmark for eco-friendly transportation globally. Kochi’s international airport, operated solely on solar energy—the world’s first—is being complemented by India’s largest business jet terminal.
Kerala Tourism 2.0, a $43 million initiative, intends to enhance infrastructure and transit corridors linking Kochi and lesser-known treasures like Munnar and Kozhikode. The magazine highlights the state’s efforts to preserve local festivals, spanning from the traditional Thrissur Pooram to the current Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
The 150-year-old Ernakulam Market, Kochi’s cultural heart, is going through a radical renovation, with its huge unveiling anticipated for early 2024. The Blue Yonder, an accountable tourism operator, received a nod from the magazine thanks to its innovative twilight dining experience inspired by Kochi’s traditional Chinese fishing nets in 2023. This progressive and futuristic company also revamped Nila River cruises, offering two-week trips along the state’s cultural lifeline.
Kochi, the lone Indian presence on the list of Asia’s 11 greatest places, is truly setting the bar for citywide sustainability initiatives, according to Condé Nast Traveller. This recognition is an immense boost for the tourism industry, as well as evidence of the city’s global nature, history, and scenic enticement. PA Mohammed Riyas, Minister of Tourism, and Tourism Secretary K Biju couldn’t hide their excitement. “A huge accolade for Kerala tourism,” Minister Riyas adds, pointing out the delicate yet smart balance between development and sustainability. Secretary Biju is “extremely happy,” which is unsurprising given Kochi’s achievements through an unusual combination of modernity, history, and an exciting cosmopolitan charm.
Kochi is seen as a paragon of sustainable tourism, with a connection to the past and an eye to the future. Kochi fosters visitors to soak up its timeless charm among 2024’s Asian adventures, from rivers that have lured visitors for centuries to the promise of a fully solar-powered metro. So, pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with Kochi—a paradise where legacy marries modernization and sustainability takes centre stage!
