January 23, 2022: The New York Times   has listed Kerala as one of the 52 places in the world to visit in 2023. Kerala, the only Indian destination   to feature in the list, is recognized for its 'Responsible Tourism' initiatives.
Says the descriptive note:
We travel to immerse ourselves in other cultures, but some forms of community tourism put residents on display without offering benefits. Not so in Kerala — a southern Indian state celebrated for its beaches, backwater lagoons, cuisine and rich cultural traditions like the Vaikathashtami festival — where the government has adopted an award-winning approach that allows visitors to experience village life while supporting the communities that host them.
In Kumarakom, one of several “responsible tourism destinations” in the state, visitors can paddle through jungly canals, weave rope from coconut fiber and even learn to climb a palm tree. In Maravanthuruthu, visitors can follow a storytelling trail and enjoy village street art before taking in an evening performance of a traditional temple dance.—Paige McClanahan
The first 12 places ahead of Kerala in the list are:  London, Morioka in Japan, Arizona's Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Kilmartin Glen in Scotland, Auckland, California's Palm Springs, Kangaroo Island in Australia, Albania's Vjosa River, Accra in Ghana, Tromso in Norway, Brazil's Lencois Maranhenses National Park and Bhutan.