Welcoming the Kerala Budget for its significant steps towards granting industry status to the tourism sector, a long-pending demand, the Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI) said the Budget lays a strong foundation for future growth and will boost investor confidence.According to CKTI president E.M. Najeeb, the Budget reflects the government’s vision of a “New Age Kerala” (Puthuyuga Keralam). “By positioning tourism as a priority sector and moving to extend industry benefits to it, the State government has acknowledged tourism’s vital role in Kerala’s economic and social development. This is a historic move for the entire tourism fraternity,” he said. Published - June 20, 2026 12:43 am IST