Kochi (lamba safar): The pavilion that showcases Kerala as the land of festivals has become cynosure of all eyes at the four-day Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) with visitors getting an overwhelming experience of the state’s resplendent cultural traditions.
Based on the theme of ‘Kerala Festival Destination’, the spectacular pavilion depicts Kerala’s rich heritage and traditional festival celebrations in a unique manner, grabbing the attention of foreign and domestic buyers alike at the 12th edition of the event being held at the Sagara-Samudrika Convention Centre in Willingdon Island here.
Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas, who inaugurated the expo of Asia’s biggest tourism sector event that attracts stakeholders from around the world, also visited the pavilion and lauded the creativity behind it.
Through ‘Kerala Festival Destination’ concept, tourists are invited to take part in the state’s age-old traditional festivals and rituals. It is part of Kerala Tourism’s novel campaign activities that give thrust on festivals and celebrations among its tourism products.
The Department of Tourism aims to provide an exceptional experience to domestic and foreign tourists by showcasing the state’s festivals and its staple of celebrations and ceremonies.
The pavilion,which has been put up in 35 sqft of space, has two caparisoned elephants with each measuring five-and-a-half feet and replicating the ‘ezhunnallippu’ (procession of jumbos) ceremony of Thrissur Pooram. The accompaniment of parasols, ‘venchamaram’ (fly-whisks) and ‘alavattom’ (a pair of fans made from peacock feathers) add a special charm to the replica that recreates the typical festive milieu of Kerala, besides the uniqueness of state’s tourism sector.
The September 26-29 KTM 2024 expo features as many as 347 stalls from public and private entities. It will be open for the public on the last day (September 29).
