Four-time MLA and senior Congress leader expected to bring youthful energy, grassroots connectivity and fresh momentum to Kerala’s tourism and cultural sectors.
P. C. Vishnunadh has been inducted into the new Kerala Cabinet as the state’s new Tourism Minister following the return of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government under Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan after a decade.
According to reports, Vishnunadh has been assigned the Tourism and Culture portfolio in the newly formed government, succeeding former Tourism Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas, who led the department since 2021.
A senior Congress leader with a strong organisational background, Vishnunadh currently represents the Kundara constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and has now been elected to the Assembly for a fourth term.
Born on March 30, 1978, in Kollam district, Vishnunadh’s political journey began through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), where he emerged as one of the prominent youth faces of the Congress movement in Kerala. Over the years, he went on to serve as President of the Kerala Youth Congress, Working President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), and AICC Secretary, building a reputation as an energetic mass leader with strong grassroots connectivity.
Known for his youth-centric political approach, organisational skills and public outreach, Vishnunadh is expected to play a key role in shaping Kerala’s next phase of tourism growth at a time when the state is witnessing record visitor arrivals and rising international visibility. Kerala had reported its highest-ever tourist arrivals in 2025, crossing 25 million visitors, driven by strong domestic tourism growth and improved tourism infrastructure.
Industry observers believe the new minister could focus on strengthening experiential tourism, destination branding, cultural tourism circuits, youth engagement and digital tourism outreach, while continuing Kerala’s strong positioning in wellness, responsible and sustainable tourism.
His appointment also signals the UDF government’s emphasis on bringing younger leadership into key economic portfolios as Kerala looks to further expand tourism’s contribution to employment, investment and regional development.
With Kerala already recognised globally for backwaters, Ayurveda, eco-tourism and cultural experiences, the tourism industry will closely watch how Vishnunadh combines his political energy and organisational experience to drive the state’s next tourism growth chapter.
