Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has officially claimed the top spot in India for the highest number of luxury hotels, outshining industrial giants like Maharashtra and Gujarat. According to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Tourism (2019–April 2025), Kerala now leads the country in the number of 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star hotels.
The state currently boasts an impressive 94 five-star hotels, 420 four-star hotels, and 607 three-star hotels. Maharashtra follows with 86 five-star properties, while Gujarat stands third with 76.
This remarkable growth is being hailed as a major boost for Kerala’s flourishing tourism sector, paving the way for expanded opportunities in the years ahead.
One of the driving factors behind this surge was the state’s liquor licensing policies. Under the UDF government led by Oommen Chandy, strict regulations allowed bar licenses only for five-star hotels, prompting many lower-tier establishments to upgrade. Later, the Left government relaxed these rules, permitting four-star and three-star hotels to acquire bar licenses too.
The latest figures signal a dynamic revival in Kerala’s hotel and tourism industry, reaffirming its status as a premium destination on the global tourism map.
