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Tourism Minister Highlights Kerala Travel Mart in Kochi as a Boost for Global Tourism Growth
The 12th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2024) is gearing up to set new milestones as it returns to Kochi from September 26 to 29. According to Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas, the event is expected to exceed previous records, with an overwhelming response from both domestic and international buyers.Speaking at a press conference, Shri Riyas highlighted the unique significance of KTM, noting its role as a successful model of government-industry collaboration. Over the past 24 years, the biennial event has become a key contributor to the remarkable growth of Kerala’s tourism sector. The four-day event promises to showcase the best of the state’s travel offerings, reinforcing Kerala’s position as a global tourism hub.
“KTM has over the years contributed significantly to market Kerala’s vast tourism potential in other states and abroad,” the Minister said.
While KTM is making hectic efforts to see the event a resounding success, Kerala Tourism is also mounting campaigns focusing on domestic and international markets, he said.
In the prevailing circumstances, these campaigns will also give prominence to Wayanad, devastated by the recent natural disaster. Though the calamity affected only a particular area, it has impacted the flow of tourists to other parts of the district. The campaigns will seek to market the whole of Kerala including Wayanad. The social media campaign with the catch word “Ente Keralam Ennum Sundaram” (My Kerala is ever beautiful) is part of this campaign, he said.
The government sees KTM as a path leading to the vision of turning Kerala into a ‘tourist state,’ he said.
Shri E M Najeeb presented the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society’s contribution to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund during a ceremony, with the handover taking place in the presence of Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas. During the event, the Minister also unveiled the mobile app for KTM 2024, which is available for download on both Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (App Store) platforms.
Attending the press meet were Tourism Secretary Shri K Biju, Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran, KTM Society President Shri Jose Pradeep, KTM Society Secretary Shri Swaminathan S, and past presidents Shri E M Najeeb and Shri Baby Mathew Somatheeram. Organized by the Kerala Travel Mart Society, the upcoming edition of KTM has already seen an unprecedented response, with domestic buyer registrations surpassing 2,035—doubling the previous high of 1,305 set in 2018. The international buyer registrations stand at 808, representing 76 countries.
KTM-2024 will be held at the Sagara-Samudrika Convention Centre on Willingdon Island, with an inaugural ceremony followed by three days of business sessions. On the final day, September 29, the Expo will open to the public. Among the international buyers, the UK leads with 67 participants, followed by 60 from the Gulf, 55 from the US, 34 from Russia, and 245 from the rest of Europe. African countries contribute 41 buyers, with the remaining participants coming from East Asia. Domestically, Maharashtra tops the list with 578 buyers, followed by Delhi (340) and Gujarat (263).
The event will feature 344 stalls across eight categories, with support from various state agencies and the tourism industry, backed by the Kerala Tourism Department. KTM 2024 is being hailed as a “total digital revolution,” with new software facilitating seamless B2B meetings. In line with Kerala’s commitment to sustainability, the event will strictly adhere to green protocols.
KTM 2024 will also focus on Responsible Tourism and strengthening MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The success of the G20 working group’s meeting at Kumarakom and Kovalam last year highlighted Kerala’s potential in hosting large-scale events. Additionally, cruise tourism will be a key focus, with organizers aiming to attract significant interest from this sector.
Source: Travel And Tour World
