Kerala is a popular destination for both domestic as well as foreign tourists. Kerala is well known for its beaches, backwaters in Alappuzha and Kollam. Kerala is well known for its beaches, backwaters in Alappuzha and Kollam, mountain ranges and wildlife sanctuaries. Other popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam. Muzhappilangadi, Bekal and Kappad; backwater tourism and lake resorts around AshtamudiLake, Kollam; hill stations and resorts at Munnar, Wayanad, Nelliyampathi, Vagamon and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sactuaries at Wayanad, Periyar, Parambikulam, Silent Valley National Park and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region-an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that center on Vembanad Lake, also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, and Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. To further promote tourism in Kerala, the Grand Kerala Shopping festival was started by the Government of Kerala in 2007, Since then it has been held every year during the December-January period.

Kerala was a favourite destination for the Russian tourists even during the Soviet time. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from different parts of USSR visited Kovalam through the government agency in TOURISTS.

Today Kerala has become their favourite destination thanks to the marketing strategy of the tourism department and participation of both government and private organisations in the leading travel marts in Russia. Websites of all major resorts are available in Russian language. Ayurveda attracts a good percentage of tourists from Russia . More than 35,086 Russian tourists visits Kerala in 2018.