Seeking to explore new international markets, the ninth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) will focus on themes ‘Responsible Tourism’ and ‘Muziris and Spice Route’. Billed as the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in partnership with Department of Tourism, KTM will be held at Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willingdon Island from September 28-30, 2016. The event is expected to attract around 1,500 buyers from around the country and abroad. As many as 265 stalls of different sizes for the exhibitors within Kerala will be featured at the venue as part of the event.
“KTM 2016, which will coincide with ‘World Tourism Day’, will reach out to buyers from new international markets, emphasising focus on the new arenas of tourism, including responsible tourism, and popularise the concept among the common man,” said Abraham George, president, Kerala Travel Mart Society.
“To facilitate better interaction between buyers and sellers, we have initiated the process for sellers’ registration much in advance,” George pointed out.
KTM will together business entrepreneurs from Kerala offering various tourism products and services, including tour operators, hotels, resorts, home stays, houseboats, Ayurveda resorts and cultural art centres onto a single platform and facilitate their meetings and interactions with buyers from around the world.
The mart will also project Kerala as an ideal breakaway destination for weddings and honeymoons along with its Ayurveda and leisure products, all of which are emerging segments for tourism destinations, with the aim of increasing the state’s tourism market share by an additional ₹5,000 crore.
“KTM 2014 witnessed a participation of 1,100 buyers. Our aim is to substantially increase the number of tourists from the new market world over in the next two years. However, we have received a great and prompt response from the domestic and international tour operators in yesteryears,” added George.
